Put back

put back & puts back putting back put back put back

1. put... back p.v. When you put something back, you return it to where it was before.

After you finish listening to my CDs, please put them back.

Susie, I told you we're eating dinner in ten minutes, so put that cookie right back!

2. put... back p.v. When something slows the development or progress of project, it puts the project back or it puts the people involved in the project back.

The hurricane put the hotel construction project back by at least three months.

I had planned to finish college last year, but being hospitalized for several months put me back.

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3. put... back p.v. When you put back the date that you plan to do or complete something by, you postpone it.

The closing on the house I'm selling might have to be put back if the buyers can't get their loan approved in time.

The graduation date will have to be put back if the teachers strike doesn't end soon.

4. put... back p.v. [informal] When you put back alcoholic beverages, you drink a lot of them.

Did you see how much David was drinking last night? He sure can put it back.

I'm not surprised he has a hangover — he must have put back half a bottle of tequila.

1. switch ...off p.v. When you switch off an electrical or mechanical device, you change the controls to stop it from producing or doing something. Turn off is similar to switch off. Switch on is the opposite of switch off.

Try to remember to switch off the lights when you leave the room.

I switched the engine off and got out of the car.

switched off part.adj. After you have changed the controls of an electrical or mechanical device to stop it from producing or doing something, it is switched off. Switched on is the opposite of switched off. Turned off is similar to switched off.

Last night the light in the hallway was switched off, and I fell down the stairs. switch on