put in

3 meanings

Meanings
  1. 1 spend time or effort on something B1
  2. 2 install or fix something in a place B1
  3. 3 make a formal request or application for something B2
1 put sth in

spend time or effort on something

B1

What does "put in" mean in this sense?

To 'put in' time or effort means to give a lot of energy, work, or hours to something. It's the idea that you're investing yourself into a task — not just doing it, but really committing to it. You'll often hear this in sports, workplaces, and motivational situations: coaches, managers, and friends use it to talk about how hard someone is working. What makes it useful is that it focuses on the amount of effort being devoted, not just the result. It works equally well in British and American English.

Examples

How to use it

put in + effort/work/time

The most common pattern — use an abstract noun like 'work', 'effort', 'time', or 'hours' directly after 'in'.

You'll need to put in a lot of effort if you want to pass the exam.

put + effort/work/time + in

Short noun phrases very commonly appear between 'put' and 'in', especially for emphasis at the end of a clause.

The team really put the work in during those final weeks of training.

put in + time expression

Use a time expression to say how long someone has been devoting themselves to something.

She put in three months of training before the race.

put in + quantifier (a lot, everything)

Quantifiers like 'a lot', 'everything', or 'so much' are natural when you want to show the degree of effort without naming it precisely.

He put everything in and still didn't get the promotion — he was devastated.

modal + put in + object

Use with modal verbs like 'have to', 'need to', or 'want to' when giving advice or talking about what is necessary.

If you want to get better at guitar, you have to put in the hours.

Common Collocations

put in the workput in the effortput in the hoursput in timeput in a shiftput in long hours

Common Mistakes

Using 'it' as the object

Because 'it' usually refers to a concrete thing, it sounds unnatural with this sense of 'put in'. Use quantifiers like 'a lot' or 'everything' instead, or name the effort directly.

✗ The project was difficult, but she really put it in.
✓ The project was difficult, but she really put the effort in.
Confusing with the 'submit' sense

The same phrasal verb also means to submit a formal request. Make sure your object is a word like 'effort', 'time', or 'work' — not 'application', 'claim', or 'complaint', which belong to the submit sense.

✗ I put in a lot of applications to the project.
✓ I put a lot of work into the project. / I put in a lot of effort on the project.
Adding 'into' when no destination is needed

'Put in' (devote effort) doesn't need a destination word after it. If you want to specify where the effort is going, use 'put into' instead as a separate pattern.

✗ She put in the hours into her studies.
✓ She put in the hours. / She put a lot of effort into her studies.

Usage

This phrasal verb is neutral and works in both British and American English. It is especially common in spoken, informal, and motivational contexts, and is frequently used at the end of a clause for emphasis: 'You just have to put the work in.'

2 put sth in

install or fix something in a place

B1

Sense 2: What does "put sth in" mean?

To put something in means to install or fit it permanently in a place, usually as part of a building or home. It often involves a professional like a plumber, electrician, or builder doing the work. For example, if your house has no central heating, you might arrange for a company to put it in. The thing being put in is always a physical object that becomes a fixed part of the structure — not something you just place down and pick up again. In everyday British English, this phrasal verb feels more natural and relaxed than the word 'install'.

Examples

How to use it

put in + object (home feature)

The most common pattern, where the object is a physical thing being permanently fitted — typically a home feature or system.

They decided to put in a new shower before selling the house.

put + object + in

With short noun objects, it is very natural to place the object between the verb and the particle.

The builder came on Monday and put the new windows in by Friday.

put + pronoun + in

When the object is a pronoun, it must go between the verb and the particle — never after 'in'.

The kitchen looked old, so we put it in last spring and it made a huge difference.

have/get + object + put in

This pattern is extremely common when someone arranges for a professional to do the installation rather than doing it themselves.

We're getting solar panels put in next month to reduce our energy bills.

Common Collocations

kitchenboilercentral heatingnew windowsbathroomalarm system

Common Mistakes

Wrong pronoun placement

When using a pronoun like 'it' or 'them', it must go between 'put' and 'in', not after 'in'.

✗ We put in it last year.
✓ We put it in last year.
Confusing the install sense with the submit sense

"Put in" can also mean to formally submit something, like an offer or complaint. When it means install, the object is always a physical thing being fitted into a space — not a document or request.

✗ We put in a new boiler for the heating contract. (when you mean you submitted a bid)
✓ We put in a new boiler. (physical installation) / We put in a bid for the contract. (formal submission)

Usage

This phrasal verb is especially common in British English for home improvements, often in the pattern 'have/get something put in' when a professional does the work. It sounds more natural and informal than 'install' in everyday conversation.

3 put sth in

make a formal request or application for something

B2

Sense 3: What does "put sth in" mean?

To 'put in' something means to formally submit a request, application, or official document to an authority or organisation. It suggests that a process has been followed — you're not just asking casually, you're going through the proper channels. You'll hear it most often in workplace and bureaucratic contexts, such as applying for leave, making an insurance claim, or bidding for a contract. The pattern 'put in for something' is especially common in British English and signals that you've officially applied or are seeking something through a formal system. It sits somewhere between the more formal 'submit' and the everyday 'apply for', and fits naturally into both spoken conversations and professional emails.

Examples

How to use it

put in + formal noun (request / claim / application / bid / complaint)

The most common pattern — use it when naming the type of formal submission directly.

We've put in a bid for the contract, so now we just have to wait.

put + object + in

With short noun objects, the verb and particle can be separated for a slightly more conversational feel.

She put a complaint in as soon as she found out about the error.

put + pronoun + in

When replacing the object with a pronoun, it must go between 'put' and 'in' — never after 'in'.

The deadline is Friday — have you put it in yet?

put in for + goal (promotion / pay rise / transfer / leave)

This three-part pattern is used when specifying what you are applying or requesting, and is particularly common in British spoken English.

He's thinking about putting in for a transfer to the Edinburgh office.

be put in (passive)

The passive is natural when the focus is on the submission itself rather than who made it, especially in formal or professional contexts.

An appeal has been put in, and the committee will review it next week.

Common Collocations

a requesta claiman applicationa bida complaintfor a promotion

Common Mistakes

Confusing the 'request' sense with the 'effort' sense

When 'put in' means to submit formally, its object is always a procedural noun like 'request', 'claim', or 'application'. If the object is a word like 'hours', 'work', or 'effort', the meaning shifts to devoting time or energy — a completely different sense.

✗ She put in a request for the project. / She put in a lot of hours for the project.
✓ Use 'put in a request/claim/application' for formal submissions, and 'put in hours/effort/work' only when talking about time or energy invested.
Pronoun placed after 'in'

When you replace the object with a pronoun, it must go between 'put' and 'in'. Placing the pronoun after 'in' is ungrammatical.

✗ I've already put in it.
✓ I've already put it in.
Using 'put in' interchangeably with 'put forward'

'Put in' implies a formal, often written submission made through an official process, while 'put forward' means to suggest something in a discussion or for consideration — not necessarily through a formal channel.

✗ She put in her idea during the meeting and everyone agreed.
✓ She put forward her idea during the meeting and everyone agreed. / She put in a formal proposal after the meeting.

Usage

The pattern 'put in for something' (e.g. 'put in for a pay rise') is very common in British spoken English but may sound informal in formal writing, where 'submit an application for' is preferred. This sense is neutral but leans slightly towards spoken and workplace language.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does 'put in' always mean working hard? I've heard it used in other ways.

No — 'put in' has several different meanings depending on context. It can also mean to submit something (like an application) or to install something (like a new shelf). The context, and especially the object word, tells you which meaning is intended. On this page, we're only looking at the 'devote effort or time' sense.

Can I say 'the work was put in' (passive)?

It's technically possible but it sounds unnatural in most situations. This phrasal verb works much better in active sentences where a person is the subject. Stick to patterns like 'she put in the work' or 'they really put the hours in'.

What kinds of objects go with this sense of 'put in'?

The most natural objects are abstract words connected to effort and time: 'work', 'effort', 'hours', 'time', 'overtime', 'practice', 'a shift', or 'the groundwork'. Avoid using concrete objects (like 'a shelf' or 'a pipe') or formal document words (like 'application'), as these belong to different senses.

Is 'put in the work' a set phrase? I see it a lot on social media.

It's not a fixed idiom, but 'put in the work' has become extremely common — especially in motivational and sports contexts online. Other collocations like 'put in the effort' and 'put in the hours' are equally correct and natural, so don't feel limited to just one version.

Can I use 'put in' without any object, like 'you just have to put in'?

Yes, but it's quite informal and not very common. It can work in spoken English for emphasis, especially when the type of effort is already understood from the conversation. In most cases, it's clearer and more natural to include an object like 'the work' or 'the hours'.

Does 'put in' always mean something permanent? What if I just put something inside a bag?

In this sense, yes — 'put in' implies a permanent or fixed installation, like fitting a boiler or new windows into a building. If you just place something loosely inside something else, like a bag or a box, this phrasal verb isn't the right choice. Stick to this meaning when you're talking about tradespeople or home improvements.

Can I use 'put in' in the passive?

Yes, and it's very natural — especially with 'have' or 'get'. Saying 'We had a new bathroom put in' or 'The alarm system is being put in this week' sounds perfectly normal. The 'have/get something put in' pattern is actually one of the most common ways to use this phrasal verb.

What kinds of things can you 'put in'?

Typically things that are permanently fitted into a building — like a kitchen, bathroom, boiler, central heating, double glazing, solar panels, or an alarm system. If the object is something a plumber, electrician, or builder would install, 'put in' is probably the right choice.

Does 'put in' have other meanings?

Yes, 'put in' has a few different meanings in English. This entry covers only the installation sense. The other senses are explained separately on this platform.

Is 'put in' more British or is it used everywhere?

It's used in other varieties of English too, but it's especially common in British English — particularly in conversations about home renovations and building work. In more formal or international contexts, 'install' is often preferred.

What kinds of things can you 'put in'? Are there objects that don't work?

For this sense, the object should always be a formal procedural noun — things like a request, claim, application, bid, complaint, appeal, offer, or tender. Objects that refer to physical things (like a boiler or shelves) or to time and effort (like hours or work) belong to completely different senses of 'put in' and should be avoided here.

Is 'put in for' the same as 'apply for'?

'Put in for' and 'apply for' are very similar in meaning, but 'put in for' is more common in informal spoken British English — especially in workplace settings. 'Apply for' tends to sound more formal and is more widely used in written contexts, such as a job advertisement or official letter. In everyday conversation, 'put in for' is perfectly natural.

Can I drop the object and just say 'Have you put in yet?'

Yes — when the context makes it clear what is being applied for, you can drop the object entirely. This is common in spoken British English: 'The deadline's tomorrow — have you put in yet?' works perfectly when both speakers already know what's being discussed.

Does 'put in' always refer to something that has already been submitted, or can I use it for future plans?

It can refer to future intentions as well as completed actions. For example, 'I'm going to put in a request next week' or 'She's planning to put in for a promotion' are both natural. The present continuous is also common for actions in progress: 'I'm putting in an application right now.'

Is 'put in' mainly British English?

The basic pattern — 'put in a request / claim / application' — is used in both British and American English. However, the three-part 'put in for' pattern (e.g. 'put in for a pay rise' or 'put in for leave') is particularly characteristic of British spoken English and may sound unfamiliar to American speakers, who would more often say 'apply for' or 'put in a request for'.

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