put someone under: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘put someone under’ mean?
The idiom "put someone under" means to administer anesthesia or to make someone unconscious for a medical procedure or surgery.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "under the influence" means being affected by drugs or alcohol, typically to the point of impaired judgment.
To "scare someone to death" means to frighten someone so severely that it causes them extreme fear or shock.
Idiom: scare someone to death
The idiom "save someone's skin" means to rescue or protect someone from danger or harm.
The idiom "reduce someone to tears" means to make someone cry or become extremely upset.
The idiom "reduce someone to tears" is a well-known expression in the English language. It is often used to describe a situation where a person becomes extremely emotional and starts crying. The phrase suggests that something has had such a profound impact on someone that their emotions have overwhelmed them to the point of tears.
The idiom "ram something down someone's throat" means to force someone to accept or believe something, usually by being very persistent or aggressive in presenting it.
The idiom "put store in" means to have confidence or belief in something or someone, and to place importance or value on that person or thing.
The idiom "put something into perspective" means to consider a situation or issue in relation to its true importance or significance, in order to gain a better understanding or judgment of it.
The idiom "put something behind one" means to forget about something that has happened in the past and move on, leaving it behind emotionally and mentally.
The idiom "put someone's lights out" means to knock someone unconscious, often by delivering a powerful blow to the head, resulting in the person losing consciousness, or their "lights" or awareness, being extinguished.
FAIL
The idiom "put someone under" is a commonly used phrase in the English language. It is often used to describe the act of causing someone to lose consciousness or become sedated. This phrase originated from the medical field, specifically anesthesia, where "putting someone under" refers to the administration of anesthesia to induce unconsciousness during a surgical procedure. However, its usage has extended beyond the medical context to describe any situation where someone is made unaware of their surroundings. This idiom can be interpreted figuratively in everyday language as well, suggesting manipulation or control over someone's thoughts, actions, or emotions. It implies exerting influence or power over someone, similar to how anesthesia takes control over a person's consciousness.
The idiom "put someone's lights out" is related to "put someone under" as it also conveys the idea of causing someone to lose consciousness or become unconscious. It is often used colloquially to describe knocking someone out through physical force, such as a punch. This phrase implies a sudden loss of consciousness, as if someone's lights have been turned off. While "put someone under" can have a broader meaning beyond the physical act, "put someone's lights out" focuses specifically on rendering someone unconscious through a forceful blow.
In addition, the idiom "put a gun to someone's head" is related to "put someone under" as it highlights the use of coercion or threat to control someone's actions or decisions. It implies a high level of pressure and domination over another person, where their compliance is demanded under the threat of severe consequences. This phrase suggests an extreme level of control, as if someone's life is at the mercy of the person holding the gun. While "put someone under" can also involve manipulation or control, "put a gun to someone's head" emphasizes the use of force or threat to achieve compliance.
Overall, the idiom "put someone under" encompasses a range of metaphorical meanings related to control, influence, and power dynamics. While it originated from the medical field, it has evolved to be used in everyday contexts as well. It serves as a reminder of the complexity of language and its ability to adapt and convey nuanced ideas and concepts. The true meaning and connotations of "put someone under" can vary depending on the context in which it is used, but it consistently revolves around the idea of causing someone to lose consciousness, whether literally or metaphorically.
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom "put someone under" can be used in a sentence:
- She was put under for surgery to remove her appendix.
- The hypnotist was able to put him under and make him cluck like a chicken.
- The anesthesiologist will put the patient under before the procedure.
More "Control" idioms
