PUTTING DOWN Meaning and
Definition
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Putting down generally refers to the act of criticizing, belittling, or disparaging someone or something, often done in a condescending or derogatory manner. It involves expressing negative opinions, judgments, or disapproval about a person, their abilities, achievements, or ideas. This term can also be applied to situations in which someone dismisses or diminishes the importance, validity, or relevance of something.
In a social context, putting down can be used to assert power or maintain dominance over others by making them feel inferior or inadequate. It often involves undermining someone's self-esteem or confidence to assert one's own superiority or control. This behavior can occur during conversations, debates, or arguments, where one person deliberately devalues the contributions or perspectives of another.
Putting down can also refer to the act of euthanizing or ending the life of an animal, typically due to old age, illness, or incurable suffering. In this context, it is a more compassionate term than "killing" or "ending," and is often used to describe the humane practice of relieving an animal from its pain or distress.
Overall, putting down is a multifaceted term that encompasses both interpersonal interactions that involve belittlement and the humane act of euthanizing animals. Its definition can vary depending on the context in which it is used.
Common Misspellings for PUTTING DOWN
- outting down
- -utting down
- 0utting down
- pytting down
- phtting down
- pjtting down
- pitting down
- p8tting down
- p7tting down
- purting down
- pufting down
- pugting down
- puyting down
- pu6ting down
- pu5ting down
- putring down
- putfing down
- putging down
- putying down
- put6ing down
Etymology of PUTTING DOWN
The word "putting down" is an idiomatic phrase that originated from the combination of two separate words.
First, the word "put" comes from Old English "putian" which means "to thrust, push, or put forward". It has Germanic roots and is related to the Middle Dutch "putten" and Old Norse "puta". Over time, "put" evolved to refer to the act of placing something in a particular position or location.
Second, the word "down" comes from Old English "dūn" which means "to lower or make something descend". It has Proto-Germanic origins and shares etymology with the Dutch "duin" and German "Tun". "Down" has historically been used to describe the action of lowering something to the ground or a lower position.
Combined together, "putting down" is a phrase that typically means to lower or place something in a particular position.
Idioms with the word PUTTING DOWN
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pick up what (one) is putting down
The idiom "pick up what (one) is putting down" means to understand or comprehend what someone is trying to communicate, often through subtle or indirect means. It suggests that the listener or observer is perceptive enough to grasp the intended message or meaning behind someone's words, actions, or gestures.
