Meaning trap

put down

to criticize or insult someone

To say something that makes someone feel stupid or unimportant.

phrasal verbB2common

Don't mix these meanings

Same phrase, different job.

to criticize or insult someone

To say something that makes someone feel stupid or unimportant.

put down (to place something on a surface)

Another meaning of 'put down' is 'to place something on a surface'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.

Notice where the phrase sounds natural.

He always puts people down to make himself feel better.relationships
In my opinion, it's important not to put others down, especially when working in a team, because it can hurt their confidence.IELTS speaking

Pattern: put down + noun/pronoun

WrongHe always puts down me in front of others.

RightHe always puts me down in front of others.

With a pronoun, the object goes in the middle: 'put me down'.

Patternput down + noun/pronoun

Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.

Stiff He habitually disparages his colleagues in meetings.

Natural He's always putting his colleagues down.

'Put down' is the everyday verb for belittling someone; 'disparage' is formal.

Words that usually travel with it.

Different from 'put down' meaning to place something somewhere.

put down (to place something on a surface) — Another meaning of 'put down' is 'to place something on a surface'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.