Meaning trap

put down

euthanize an animal

To kill an animal painlessly, usually because it is very ill or suffering, often as a humane decision.

phrasal verbC1occasional

Don't mix these meanings

Same phrase, different job.

euthanize an animal

To kill an animal painlessly, usually because it is very ill or suffering, often as a humane decision.

put down (to place something on a surface)

'put down' also has the more basic meaning 'to place something on a surface'; this is the advanced sense.

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Hear it in context

Notice where the phrase sounds natural.

After years of illness, they finally had to put their dog down.animals
Some people argue that it is more humane to put down animals that are in severe pain rather than prolonging their suffering.IELTS speaking

Fix the pattern

Pattern: put down + animal

WrongWe had to put down our dog to sleep.

RightWe had to have our dog put down. / ...put to sleep.

Don't blend the two idioms — it's 'put down' OR 'put to sleep', not 'put down to sleep'.

Patternput down + animal

Use it right

Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.

Stiff The veterinarian administered euthanasia to the elderly dog.

Natural We had to have the old dog put down.

'Put down' is the gentle everyday term for euthanising a pet; 'administer euthanasia' is clinical.

Build natural chunks

Words that usually travel with it.

have/put + animal + down
the dog put downthe cat downa horse downhumanely

Don't confuse it

This sense is unrelated to placing objects on surfaces (B1) or criticizing someone (B2). Here, it refers specifically to ending an animal's life humanely.

put down (to place something on a surface) — 'put down' also has the more basic meaning 'to place something on a surface'; this is the advanced sense.

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