Phrasal verb
put up with
Meanings
to tolerate or endure something unpleasant, annoying, or difficult
Definition
To put up with something means to tolerate it, even if it is unpleasant or annoying.
If you put up with something, you accept it and continue dealing with it, although you do not like it. This phrasal verb often suggests patience or endurance rather than approval. It is commonly used with people’s behavior, noise, delays, or difficult conditions.
Examples
- I can’t put up with this constant buzzing from the old refrigerator.
- Can you put up with a longer wait while the kitchen catches up?
- He put up with the noisy construction next door for months.
- She won’t put up with rude comments in her classroom.
- They put up with the cramped hotel room because the location was perfect.
Common mistake
Learners often say "put with" or drop "up"; it must be "put up with" to mean tolerate.
More phrasal verbs
- go on To go on means to continue or keep happening.
- carry out To carry out something means to do it or complete it, especially a plan, task, or instruction.
- set up To set up means to arrange or prepare something so it is ready to use or happen.
- pick up “Pick up” most commonly means to collect someone or something from a place, usually by going there.
- go back To go back means to return to a place, time, or earlier situation.