put it past

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "put it past" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express disbelief or to suggest that someone is capable of doing something, often something negative or unexpected. Example: "I wouldn't put it past him to lie about his whereabouts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Wouldn't put it past her.

The Guardian - Music

You wouldn't put it past them.

The Guardian - Film

"We want to put it past us.

The Washington Post

I certainly wouldn't put it past her.

The New York Times - Tech

I still wouldn't put it past it.

The Guardian - Film

"I definitely wouldn't put it past him.

The New York Times - Sports

Would you put it past him?

The Guardian - Sport

You wouldn't put it past him.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

We wouldn't put it past him.

The Guardian - Film

Nimmich wouldn't put it past the cartels.

The New York Times - Magazine

At this rate, would you put it past him?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "put it past" when you want to express that someone is capable of doing something, often something negative or surprising. For example, "I wouldn't "put it past" him to lie about his whereabouts" suggests you believe he is capable of lying.

Common error

Avoid using "put it past" when you want to express trust or confidence in someone. The phrase often carries a negative connotation, suggesting the person is capable of something undesirable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "put it past" functions as an idiomatic expression used to indicate that someone is capable of something, often undesirable. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "put it past" is a common and grammatically correct idiomatic expression used to convey that someone is capable of doing something, often something negative or unexpected. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and frequency. It is most frequently found in News & Media contexts. When using the phrase, be mindful of its implication and choose alternative expressions like "wouldn't be surprised if" in contexts that require a more positive connotation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wouldn't put it beyond

Uses "beyond" instead of "past", slightly intensifying the potential action.

wouldn't be surprised if

Expresses a lack of surprise directly, focusing on the expected outcome.

wouldn't doubt that

Similar to "wouldn't be surprised if", but with a stronger emphasis on certainty.

fully expect

Indicates a high degree of expectation, often implying a negative outcome.

it's not beyond the realm of possibility

A more formal way of expressing something is possible, even if unlikely.

I wouldn't bet against it

Suggests a high probability of something happening, particularly in a competitive context.

I wouldn't rule it out

Indicates that something is possible and should be considered.

it's conceivable that

A formal way to say something is imaginable or believable.

I can imagine them doing that

Expresses the ability to visualize someone taking a particular action.

it's within the bounds of possibility

Similar to "not beyond the realm of possibility", but slightly less formal.

FAQs

How do I use "put it past" in a sentence?

Use "put it past" to express that you wouldn't be surprised if someone did something, often something negative. For example: "I wouldn't "put it past" him to spread rumors."

What does it mean to "put something past" someone?

When you "put something past" someone, you attribute a certain action or capability to them, often implying it's something negative or unexpected that they are capable of doing. It suggests you wouldn't be surprised if they did it.

What can I say instead of "I wouldn't put it past him"?

You can use alternatives like "I wouldn't be surprised if", "I wouldn't doubt that", or "I fully expect" depending on the context.

Is "put it past" formal or informal?

"Put it past" leans towards informal usage. In formal contexts, consider alternatives like "It is not beyond the realm of possibility" or "it's conceivable that".