The idiom "puts the bite on" means to ask for or demand money, and its spelling can be a bit tricky. The word "puts" is pronounced as [pʊts], with a short u sound and a t sound. "Bite," on the other hand, is pronounced as [baɪt], with a long i sound and a t sound as well. Lastly, "on" is pronounced as [ɑn], with an open o sound and an n sound. So when putting it all together, "puts the bite on" is spelled as [pʊts ðə baɪt ɑn].
The phrase "puts the bite on" is an idiomatic expression that is primarily used in American English to convey the act of requesting or demanding money from someone, often in a persistent or forceful manner. It is typically employed in informal conversations or informal written language, such as fiction or dialogue.
When someone "puts the bite on" another person, they are essentially asking that individual for financial assistance or a loan, typically with a sense of urgency or desperation. This expression signifies the act of making a direct plea for money, often emphasizing the gravity of the situation or the immediate need for funds. The term "bite" is metaphorically used to represent money or monetary resources in this context.
The phrase can also extend to situations other than money, where an individual may be aggressively soliciting or demanding something other than financial assistance. It suggests a sense of imposition or pressure that the person applying the "bite" is exerting on the other party.
Overall, "puts the bite on" describes the act of approaching someone with a fervent appeal for financial assistance or another form of immediate support, usually highlighting the urgency or forcefulness behind the request.