1 B2 idiomatic informal
To trick or deceive someone so that they do not notice.
"You can't put one past her — she always knows when someone is lying."
inseparable
put one past
B2 informal inseparable transitive
To trick or deceive someone successfully; to get something by someone without them noticing.
In plain English
To fool someone so they don't notice what you're really doing.
What does "put one past" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 neutral
In sports, to score a goal past a goalkeeper.
"The striker put one past the keeper in the final minute to win the match."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To kick a ball past a goalkeeper in football — the sports meaning is still in use.
Actually means
To fool someone so they don't notice what you're really doing.
Usage tip
Sports metaphor origin — originally from football/soccer, meaning to score a goal past a goalkeeper. Now used figuratively. Slightly more common in British English. Often used with negatives: 'you can't put one past her.'
Words that pair with "put one past"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
the goalkeeper the boss the teacher anyone her him
How to conjugate "put one past"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
put one past
I/you/we/they
3rd person
puts one past
he/she/it
Past simple
put one past
yesterday
Past participle
put one past
have + pp
-ing form
putting one past
continuous
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