put down to
B2 neutral inseparable transitive
In simple words
To say that something happened because of something else.
Meanings
1 B2
idiomatic
neutral
To believe that something is caused by a particular factor.
"She put her success down to years of hard work and a little bit of luck."
Grammar: inseparable
2 B2
idiomatic
neutral
To explain something negative or unexpected by pointing to a particular cause.
"Doctors put his fatigue down to a poor diet and lack of sleep."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Very common in spoken and written English to express causation. More conversational than 'attribute to.' The cause can be a positive or negative factor. Structure: 'put X down to Y.'
Commonly used with
experience luck stress coincidence hard work circumstance
Forms
Base
put down to
I/you/we/they
3rd person
puts down to
he/she/it
Past simple
put down to
yesterday
Past participle
put down to
have + pp
-ing form
putting down to
continuous
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