put up to
B2 informal separable transitive
In simple words
To make someone do something bad, usually by encouraging them secretly or telling them to do it.
Meanings
1 B2
idiomatic
informal
To encourage or persuade someone to do something, especially something mischievous or wrong.
"I know someone put you up to this — you would never have thought of it yourself."
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
Almost always implies a negative action. Typically suggests the instigator stays in the background while the other person carries out the act. Common in: 'Who put you up to this?' The object is always a person.
Commonly used with
prank idea trick nonsense mischief scheme
Forms
Base
put up to
I/you/we/they
3rd person
puts up to
he/she/it
Past simple
put up to
yesterday
Past participle
put up to
have + pp
-ing form
putting up to
continuous
Understand "put up to" better
Try:
Real video examples
Video examples are being collected. Check back soon.
Synonyms
Want to master this phrasal verb?
Practice "put up to" on Looplines