put-out

The referee signals a put-out at first base.

Definition

1. Noun (Sports):

   • An act of causing a player to be out: In baseball, softball, and similar games, a "put-out" is a defensive play that results in an offensive player being called out, typically by a fielder tagging a runner or catching a batted ball before it touches the ground.
   • Example context: The shortstop made a quick put-out at second base.

2. Verb (past tense of "put out"):

   • To extinguish: To cause something, such as a fire or light, to stop burning or shining.
   • To inconvenience or annoy: To cause trouble or difficulty for someone.
   • To publish or broadcast: To make information or a product available to the public.
   • To exert effort: To make an effort or work hard.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The catcher recorded a put-out by tagging the runner at home plate. (A defensive play that ended the runner's turn.)
  • He has three put-outs in today's game. (He has made three defensive outs.)

• Verb (as a separate word "put out"):

  • Please put out the candle before leaving. (Extinguish the flame.)
  • I don't want to put you out by asking for a ride. (Cause inconvenience.)
  • The company put out a new version of the software. (Published or released.)
  • She really put out to finish the project on time. (Exerted great effort.)

Advanced Usage

• "to be put out" (adjective phrase): To be annoyed, offended, or inconvenienced.

  • He was put out by her rude comment. (He felt annoyed or offended.)
  • She seemed put out that we arrived late. (She appeared inconvenienced or irritated.)

• "put out to pasture": To retire someone or something, especially an older person or animal, from active service.

  • After 40 years of work, he was put out to pasture. (He was retired.)

Variants and Related Words

• Put-out (noun): The hyphenated form is used specifically in sports contexts.
• Put out (verb phrase): The unhyphenated form is used for the verb meanings listed above.

Synonyms

• Out (noun, sports): A situation where a player is removed from play.
• Extinguish (verb): To cause a fire or light to stop.
• Inconvenience (verb): To cause trouble or difficulty.
• Publish (verb): To make information public.

Phrasal Verbs

• Put out: (See verb definitions above; also used as a phrasal verb meaning to extinguish, inconvenience, or exert effort.)
  • They put out the fire quickly. (Extinguished.)
  • Don't put yourself out for me. (Don't inconvenience yourself.)

Related Idioms

• Put out feelers: To make tentative inquiries or test reactions.
  • The company put out feelers to see if there was interest in a new product. (They made cautious inquiries.)
• Put out of one's misery: To end someone's suffering, either literally (e.g., by killing a suffering animal) or figuratively (e.g., by giving information that ends their anxiety).
  • Please tell me the test results and put me out of my misery. (Relieve my anxiety.)