This expression describes tolerating something unpleasant.

The idea

Put up with means tolerate and is common in everyday speech. Keep a noun or pronoun after with: put up with noise, put up with it. The past is put up with.

Examples

  • We put up with the noise at night.
  • I cannot put up with this smell.
  • They put up with it for a week.
  • Can you put up with the cold here?
  • The neighbours put up with the repairs.
  • She will not put up with rude comments.

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Watch out

Do not put the object inside the expression: put it up with does not mean tolerate it.

Try it yourself

  1. Choose the correct option. I will not put up ___ the delay. (with / to)

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    with

    with: This completes the expression before the delay.

  2. Choose the correct option. Can they put up with ___? (it / its)

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    it

    it: An object pronoun can refer to the unpleasant situation.

  3. Choose the correct option. Last month we ___ up with a leak. (put / putted)

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    put

    put: The past has the same spelling as the base form.

Use it today

Describe something unpleasant you tolerate and how long it lasts.