The spelling of the word "puts on outs" can be a bit confusing. The word "puts" is pronounced with the /ʌ/ vowel sound, whereas "on" and "outs" both have the /ɒ/ vowel sound. The reason for this inconsistency in spelling is that English has many words with irregular pronunciation. It can be helpful to use the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) when learning English, as it provides a standardized way to represent the sounds of English words no matter how they are spelled.
"Put on outs" is an idiomatic expression that is not listed in traditional dictionaries. However, its meaning can be inferred through the interpretation of its constituent words and the context in which it is used.
The phrase "put on" generally means to engage in an act of pretense or deception, often with the intention of appearing or behaving differently from one's true self. It involves the deliberate adoption of a false persona or the exaggeration of one's characteristics for a specific purpose.
In conjunction with the word "outs," which is often used to refer to external or societal expectations, it can be deduced that "puts on outs" refers to the act of donning a façade or projecting an image to conform with societal norms or to meet certain expectations. This can manifest in various ways, such as changing one's behavior, altering one's appearance, or adopting an identity that is contrary to one's authentic self in order to fit into a particular social group or gain acceptance from others.
Thus, "puts on outs" can be understood as the act of feigning or putting on a false outward appearance or persona to conform to social expectations or fulfill specific roles within a given context. It implies a deliberate and conscious effort to create a desired image, often deviating from one's true nature or identity.