put one past: Idiom Meaning and Origin

What does ‘put one past’ mean?

The idiom "put one past" means to deceive or trick someone, often by successfully hiding or concealing something from them.

Idiom Explorer

Unveiling Deceptive Tactics

The idiom "put one over" is another commonly used expression in colloquial English. This idiomatic phrase is often used to describe successfully deceiving or outsmarting someone. It is similar in meaning to "put one past," as both idioms convey the idea of trickery or clever deception.

In sports contexts, "put one over" can also be used to describe successfully tricking an opponent. For example, in a basketball game, if a player uses a clever move to score a point, they can be said to have "put one over" their opponent.

Outside of sports, "put one over" can be used more generally to describe successfully deceiving or outsmarting someone. It can be used in everyday conversations and is understood to convey a sense of wit or cunning.

Similarly, the idiom "put it past" is often used in colloquial language to describe successfully deceiving or tricking someone. It is a variation of "put one past" and "put one over." The phrase "put it past" is typically used to convey the idea of successfully deceiving or tricking someone by using cunning or clever tactics.

While "put one past," "put one over," and "put it past" may have slightly different nuances, they all share the common theme of successfully deceiving or outsmarting someone. These idioms are often used informally in everyday conversations and are understood to convey a sense of cleverness or skill in trickery.

Whether in sports or general contexts, these idioms are commonly used to describe the act of successfully deceiving or tricking someone. They add a touch of wit and playfulness to conversations and are a part of the rich tapestry of the English language.

So, the next time you successfully deceive or outsmart someone, you can proudly say that you "put one past" them, or perhaps even "put one over" or "put it past" them. These idioms capture the essence of clever trickery and are sure to add a touch of humor to your conversations.

Example usage

Examples of how the idiom "put one past" can be used in a sentence:

  1. He thought he had fooled them with his fake ID, but they saw right through it and put one past him.
  2. The clever magician was able to put one past the audience by making the coin disappear without them noticing.
  3. Despite his attempts to deceive his opponent, the skilled poker player was able to put one past him and win the game.

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