put the cap on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "put the cap on" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when instructing someone to place a cap or lid onto a container, such as a bottle or jar. Example: "After you finish using the paint, please remember to put the cap on to prevent it from drying out."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

He put the cap on the marker.

The New York Times

I put the cap on my truck, too.

The New Yorker

Another hates when people don't put the cap on the toothpaste.

The New York Times

"When they put the cap on it," she said, "they had their men in white suits.

The New York Times

To test it, he put the cap on a chisel, took it to an anvil and banged away.

The New York Times

She stepped back to join the rest of the group, giving me enough time to put the cap on my Expo marker and put it down.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

Put the caps on top.

The New York Times

They laughed late into the night until it was time to put the caps on the bottles and go home to the wives.

The New York Times

Put the caps on the pegs.

WikiHow

Once cool enough, put the caps on the vials firmly.

WikiHow

Put the caps on the vials and put everything - including a lab fee if necessary - into the envelope provided by manufacturer of your kit.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "put the cap on" in instructions, ensure the context clearly indicates what 'cap' refers to. If it is not obvious, specify the object (e.g., "put the bottle cap on").

Common error

Avoid using "put the cap on" in contexts where a literal cap isn't involved, especially in formal writing. While the phrase can figuratively mean to conclude or limit, using a more precise and formal alternative will be better.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "put the cap on" primarily functions as a phrasal verb. It can denote the literal action of placing a cap on something, as seen in Ludwig's examples, such as "He put the cap on the marker". It is also used idiomatically to signify limiting, concluding, or finalizing something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

31%

News & Media

58%

Science

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "put the cap on" is a versatile phrase with both literal and idiomatic uses. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and commonly used. Primarily functioning as a phrasal verb, it can describe the act of placing a cap on something or, more figuratively, limiting or concluding something. While its register is generally neutral to informal, it may not always be suitable for strictly formal contexts. Examples from Ludwig showcase its prevalence in news media and general instructional content, highlighting its widespread understanding and applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cap it off

Implies bringing something to a conclusion or completing it successfully.

put a lid on it

Suggests suppressing or ending something abruptly.

set a limit

Refers to establishing a maximum or boundary.

place a restriction

Indicates imposing a constraint or limitation.

bring it to a close

Signifies ending something in a formal or definitive manner.

put a stop to

Means to halt or prevent something from continuing.

end it

A simpler way to express the termination of something.

conclude matters

Formally indicates the completion of discussions or actions.

seal it

Suggests finalizing or confirming an agreement or action.

terminate it

Formally indicates the end of something.

FAQs

How can I use "put the cap on" in a sentence?

You can use "put the cap on" to describe the action of placing a lid or cap on an object, such as "Please "put the cap on" the marker after using it". It can also mean to limit or conclude something, for example, "The new regulations "put the cap on" spending".

What's a good alternative to "put the cap on" when meaning 'to finish'?

When "put the cap on" means 'to finish' or 'to complete', you can use alternatives like "cap it off", "bring it to a close", or "conclude matters", depending on the desired level of formality.

Is "put the cap on" appropriate for formal writing?

While "put the cap on" is widely understood, it may be too informal for academic or business writing. Consider using more formal alternatives such as "limit", "restrict", or "conclude", depending on the specific context.

Can "put the cap on" be used metaphorically?

Yes, "put the cap on" can be used metaphorically to mean to limit or finalize something. For example, "The company decided to "put the cap on" further investments in that project" means they decided to limit or stop investing in it.