The phrase "put upon oath" is spelled as /pʊt əˈpɒn əʊθ/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The initial /p/ sound is followed by a short /ʊ/ sound and a /t/ sound. The second word, "upon", starts with a short /ə/ sound followed by a voiced /p/ sound and a long /ɒ/ sound. The final word, "oath", begins with a short /əʊ/ sound and is followed by a voiced /θ/ sound. Overall, this phrase is pronounced as "puht uh-pon ohth."
"Put upon oath" is a legal term that refers to the act of administering an oath or affirming the truthfulness of a statement or testimony. When a person is put upon oath, they are obligated to speak the truth under penalty of perjury.
In a court of law, witnesses are typically put upon oath before testifying in order to ensure that their testimony is credible and reliable. By swearing an oath, witnesses acknowledge that they are bound by law to provide accurate and honest information.
To put someone upon oath, a formal procedure is followed. Typically, the person administering the oath, such as a judge, magistrate, or other authorized figure, asks the witness to place their hand on a religious text or make a secular affirmation. The witness is then asked to repeat a statement, such as "I swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth," and to acknowledge the consequences of providing false testimony. Once the oath is administered, the witness is considered legally bound to tell the truth.
The concept of putting someone upon oath ensures the integrity and reliability of legal proceedings by holding individuals accountable for their statements. It serves as a reminder of the solemn duty to provide truthful and accurate information in a court of law, with the understanding that any false statements may result in legal consequences.