Definition

1. Verb (transitive):
   • To communicate an idea or message successfully and clearly: To make something understood or accepted by an audience.
   • To postpone or delay: To arrange for something to happen at a later time than originally planned. (Note: This meaning is less common in modern usage; "put off" is more frequent.)

Examples of Usage

• Verb (communicate):

  • The teacher put over the complex concept in a way everyone could understand.
  • It's a difficult policy to put over to the public.
  • She has a real talent for putting over her enthusiasm in her presentations.

• Verb (postpone - less common):

  • The meeting was put over until next week.

Advanced Usage

• The phrase often implies skill in communication, suggesting the speaker overcame potential confusion or resistance.
• It can be used in various contexts: teaching, marketing, public speaking, or persuasion.
• The object is typically an abstract concept like an , , , , or .

Variants and Related Words

• Put across: A very common synonym with the same meaning (to communicate successfully).
  • He's good at putting across his arguments.
• Get across: Similar meaning, often used when focusing on the listener's understanding.
  • Did I get my point across?

Synonyms

• Communicate
• Convey
• Get across
• Explain
• Articulate
• Impart
• Postpone (for the delay meaning)
• Defer (for the delay meaning)

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Put off: Primarily means to postpone or delay. It is the more common verb for this meaning today.
  • We had to put off the trip due to bad weather.
• Put forward: To propose an idea or suggest a plan.
  • He put forward a new theory.

Related Idioms

• Put it over on someone: To deceive or trick someone.
  • He thought he could put it over on me, but I knew the truth.

Verb

1. hold back to a later time
   • let's postpone the exam
2. communicate successfully
   • I couldn't get across the message
   • He put over the idea very well