Meaning of phrasal verb 'put down'

[June]

English Grammar Tests, Elementary Level

ESL/EFL Test #84 "ESL Prepositions", question 2

My father put $1,000 ......... as a deposit to help my sister purchase a new car.

(a) in
(b) out
(c) down
(d) on

English Grammar Tests, Elementary Level

ESL/EFL Test #84 "ESL Prepositions", answer 2

My father put $1,000 down as a deposit to help my sister purchase a new car.

Correct answer: (c) down

Your answer was: incorrect
My father put $1,000 in as a deposit to help my sister purchase a new car.
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pls kindly explain to me why " put..down " ? Thanks

June

[Alan]

Hi June,

In this sentence put down has the idea of agreeing to pay a certain amount and is the first contribution you make towards whole payment. If you want to buy something,you first make a payment (put down a sum of money) of for example 10% and then pay the remaining 90% at a later date.

Alan
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