put it down
B1 neutral inseparable transitive
In simple words
To say that something happened because of a particular reason, like blaming a mistake on being tired.
Literal meaning: To place an object onto a lower surface — the physical meaning is transparent.
Meanings
1 B1
idiomatic
neutral
To attribute something to a particular reason or cause (always followed by 'to').
"I made so many mistakes on the exam — I put it down to nerves."
Grammar: inseparable
2 A2 neutral
To place something on a surface (literal, transparent use).
"She put it down on the table and walked out of the room."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
The idiomatic phrase 'put it down to' means to attribute or explain something by a cause. The literal sense (physically setting something down) is transparent. The attributive sense is especially common in British English.
Commonly used with
experience bad luck tiredness nerves coincidence stress
Forms
Base
put it down
I/you/we/they
3rd person
puts it down
he/she/it
Past simple
put it down
yesterday
Past participle
put it down
have + pp
-ing form
putting it down
continuous
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Synonyms
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