the meaning of "put in for"

[Lost_Soul]

I looked it up and found out that it means "to make an ao offical request for.."
An example: We've put in for a pay rise of 10 %
But my friend in New-Zealand told me that that phrase doesnt make much sense to him.
Could you tell me if you find that phrase clearly understandable or not?

Thanks

[Mister Micawber]

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Kiwis are a long way from the rest of the world. It is a common informal phrase in my memory bank. On the other hand, we Americans use 'raise' instead of the BrE 'rise'.
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[Alan]

Hi,

Just an extra comment about 'put in for' . It has the idea of 'apply for' and can be used in connection with an application for a job as well as for extra money.

Alan
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[Haihao]

Hi,

Just to bring owls to Athens but could I suggest that 'put in for' alludes to 'put in application form(s) for a job (or anything else)' when it means 'apply for'?

Thank you!

Haihao

[Alan]

Hi,

Yes indeed. You may be interested to know that the expression I know is 'bring/take coals to Newcastle', which equates to your bring owls to Athens.

Alan
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[Yankee]

Hi Haihao
.
I'd say 'bring/takecoals to Newcastle' isn't particularly well-known in AmE. In fact, I'd guess most Americans have never heard that expression and would have no idea what it means. We might say something like "sell ice cubes to Eskimos" instead (though this is used in reference to the ability to sell something completely unnecessary to someone).

And, interestingly, I know "bring owls to Athens" as direct translation of a German idiom (Eulen nach Athen tragen) rather than as an idiom used in English.
.

[Lost_Soul]

Hi,

bring/take coals to Newcastle
Does it hint at the fact that there is plenty of coal in Newcastle or what?

Thanks

PS: Thanks to everybody for your replies

[Yankee]

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That may well be the case, LS. But if so, it isn't something that Americans are generally aware of.
.

[Alan]

Yes, it is the case and now everyone is aware of it. Thanks, lost_soul

Alan
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[Yankee]

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You aren't refusing to believe things again, are you, Alan?
Who is 'everyone'? I bet not everyone in the US has read your post.
.

[Alan]

Clearly I referred to everyone reading this post.

Alan
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[Yankee]

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It gladdens my heart that you now understand and accept that most Americans still don't know that Newcastle has a lot of coal.
.

[Englishuser]

Hi Alan,

Is your idiom very common in the British Isles?

All the best

EU

[Alan]

Hi EU,

Yes, it is in England but maybe it'll catch on one day in New England!

Alan
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[Yankee]