Definition

1. Verb (transitive):
   • To assemble or construct something by joining its parts or members: The core meaning involves taking separate components and combining them to form a complete or functional whole.
   • To prepare or produce something by organizing various elements: This can refer to creating abstract things, like a plan or a team, by gathering and arranging different pieces.

Usage

• The verb "put together" is used with a direct object (what is being assembled).
• It often implies a process of construction, organization, or creation from disparate parts.
• It can be used in both literal (physical objects) and figurative (ideas, groups) contexts.

Examples

• Literal Assembly:
  • He put together the bookshelf using the instructions.
  • It took her all afternoon to put together the model airplane.
• Figurative Creation:
  • The editor put together a compelling report from the journalists' notes.
  • We need to put together a proposal for the client by Friday.

Advanced Usage

• "to put together a deal/agreement": to negotiate and finalize the terms of a business arrangement.
  • The lawyers worked for months to put together the merger deal.
• "to put together a convincing argument/case": to compile evidence and reasoning to support a position.
  • The prosecutor put together a strong case against the defendant.

Variants and Related Words

• Assemble (verb): To fit together the component parts of. A close synonym, often used interchangeably.
• Compile (verb): To produce by assembling information collected from other sources. Often used for documents, lists, or data.
• Piece together (phrasal verb): To assemble something with difficulty from many parts, often when trying to understand a situation.
  • Detectives pieced together the events leading to the crime.

Synonyms

• Assemble
• Construct
• Build
• Form
• Set up

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Put together does not have common phrasal verb variations beyond itself. Its meaning is contained within the phrase.

Related Idioms

• "To have it all together" / "To have got it together": To be well-organized, competent, and in control of one's life. (Note: This idiom uses "together" but not the verb "put").
  • After a rough start, she really has it all together now.
• "Put two and two together": To draw an obvious conclusion from the evidence at hand.
  • When I saw the empty box and his guilty look, I put two and two together.

Verb

1. create by putting components or members together
   • She pieced a quilt
   • He tacked together some verses
   • They set up a committee