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Glite Dictionary
to place down

to place down

1 1.7
Put something on a table or chair so it rests
  • phrasal verb
  • /pleɪs daʊn/
translation icon : dejar
  • Bines had placed it down near the bottle of yellow pills.
  • Place cut side down
  • Place cut side down
  • placed it face down

So yes, I'm going to gently place these things down now.

Examples

  • "You listen here," I said, taking his hand, and I placed it palm down on my stomach.

    Fiction book (1991)

  • Donnato has shrugged into the parka and placed the gun down on the floor near his feet.

    Fiction book (1994)

  • We placed him face down on my bed.

    Fiction book (2000)

  • Finally, he places it back down and puts his arm back in the sling.

    Fiction book (1990)

  • Waiters have placed a delicate salad down in front of each of them.

    Fiction book (1990)

  • Forrest places the letter down at the grave marker, next to fresh flowers.

    Fiction book (1994)

  • Arturo nervously placed his glass down on the end table.

    Fiction book (2000)

  • Jennie places Virgil's dinner down in an exact spot on a coffee table (facing away from the TV).

    Fiction book (1999)

  • Mother placed the bowl down, wiped the chin clean with her bare hand, and pecked Father on the cheek.

    Fiction book (2000)

  • After finishing the call, she carefully placed down the phone on the table.

Synonyms

to put
vsto place down
∞ 1.0

Move something to a particular place or position

narrows this to ending with a settled and resting placement rather than movement
to lay
vsto place down
∞ 1.0

To put something down carefully so it is flat on a surface

is about achieving a settled resting result not only flat arrangement
to put down
vsto place down
812 1.0

To lower something from your hands onto a surface

stresses achieving a settled resting position rather than only the lowering act
to rest
vsto place down
182 1.0

To put something on or against something so it stays steady

highlights the end result of something settling into a steady position
to position
vsto place down
159 2.5

To put something in a particular place carefully

focuses more on achieving a stable resting end than careful arrangement
to set down
vsto place down
70 1.7

To put something or someone down gently on a surface

focuses on making something settle into a stable resting state
to rest on
vsto place down
66 1.0

To put part of your body or an object on something for support

refers to creating a settled resting condition rather than just temporary support
to situate
vsto place down
61 3.9

Put someone or something in a certain place

is about making an item settle down into a resting spot rather than just locating it
to deposit
vsto place down
44 2.5

To put something down carefully in a particular place

emphasizes the outcome of settling something into a steady resting place
to ensconce
vsto place down
  • Formal
12 8.6

To put someone or something in a comfortable, safe place

focuses on reaching a stable restful state rather than comfort or snugness
to plunk down
vsto place down
  • Informal
6 6.7

To put something down so it makes a noise or to pay money quickly

describes putting something into a calm settled resting state without force
to plonk down
vsto place down
  • UK
1 7.6

Sit or put something down heavily and carelessly

is about creating a careful settled rest rather than a careless heavy action
to plump down
vsto place down
  • UK
7.2

To put something or yourself down suddenly and heavily, often making a noise

means placing something so it ends in a steady gentle rest rather than impact

Antonyms

to lift
553 1.0

To raise something higher by hand or with a machine

How Careful

to set down
70 1.7
to lower
802 1.0
to place down
1 1.7
to put down
812 1.0
to drop
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

place down infinitive
placed down past
placed down past participle
placing down present participle
places down third person singular

Morphology

place + down

The meaning 'to put into a settled or resting position' is directly and transparently derived from combining 'place' (to put/position) with 'down' (to a lower/relaxed position). This compositional verb + particle pattern is common and predictable, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily infer the MWE meaning.

Etymology

Place down comes from the simple image of using place to put something and down to lower it until it rests. Imagine gently lowering a vase onto a table; that's why it means 'to put something into a settled or resting position'.