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#2 (permalink) Sun May 27, 2007 10:33 am the meaning of "put in for" |
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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'. . _________________ Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's |
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Mister Micawber Language Coach

Joined: 17 Jul 2005 Posts: 7307 Location: Yokohama, Japan
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#3 (permalink) Sun May 27, 2007 11:16 am the meaning of "put in for" |
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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 _________________ English as a Second Language You can read my ESL story Word Story: Search Engines |
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Alan Co-founder

Joined: 27 Sep 2003 Posts: 9114 Location: UK
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#4 (permalink) Mon May 28, 2007 9:04 am the meaning of "put in for" |
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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 |
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Haihao I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 26 Oct 2006 Posts: 1392 Location: Japan
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#5 (permalink) Mon May 28, 2007 9:37 am the meaning of "put in for" |
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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 _________________ English as a Foreign Language You can read my EFL story Adverbs |
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Alan Co-founder

Joined: 27 Sep 2003 Posts: 9114 Location: UK
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#6 (permalink) Mon May 28, 2007 10:35 am the meaning of "put in for" |
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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. . |
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Yankee I'm a Communicator ;-)

Joined: 16 Apr 2006 Posts: 8265 Location: USA
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#7 (permalink) Mon May 28, 2007 10:51 am the meaning of "put in for" |
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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  |
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Lost_Soul I'm a Communicator ;-)

Joined: 15 Sep 2006 Posts: 1861 Location: South Park, Colorado, USA
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#8 (permalink) Mon May 28, 2007 10:54 am the meaning of "put in for" |
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. That may well be the case, LS. But if so, it isn't something that Americans are generally aware of. . |
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Yankee I'm a Communicator ;-)

Joined: 16 Apr 2006 Posts: 8265 Location: USA
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#9 (permalink) Mon May 28, 2007 11:25 am the meaning of "put in for" |
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Yes, it is the case and now everyone is aware of it. Thanks, lost_soul
Alan _________________ English as a Second Language You can read my ESL story Communicating with you? |
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Alan Co-founder

Joined: 27 Sep 2003 Posts: 9114 Location: UK
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#10 (permalink) Mon May 28, 2007 11:38 am the meaning of "put in for" |
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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. . |
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Yankee I'm a Communicator ;-)

Joined: 16 Apr 2006 Posts: 8265 Location: USA
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#11 (permalink) Mon May 28, 2007 11:44 am the meaning of "put in for" |
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Clearly I referred to everyone reading this post.
Alan _________________ English as a Foreign Language You can read my EFL story Read the Signs... |
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Alan Co-founder

Joined: 27 Sep 2003 Posts: 9114 Location: UK
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#12 (permalink) Mon May 28, 2007 11:56 am the meaning of "put in for" |
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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. . |
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Yankee I'm a Communicator ;-)

Joined: 16 Apr 2006 Posts: 8265 Location: USA
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#13 (permalink) Mon May 28, 2007 12:11 pm the meaning of "put in for" |
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Hi Alan,
Is your idiom very common in the British Isles?
All the best
EU |
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Englishuser I'm here quite often ;-)
Joined: 06 Jun 2006 Posts: 806
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#14 (permalink) Mon May 28, 2007 12:22 pm the meaning of "put in for" |
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Hi EU,
Yes, it is in England but maybe it'll catch on one day in New England!
Alan _________________ English as a Second Language You can read my ESL story Your Choice |
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Alan Co-founder

Joined: 27 Sep 2003 Posts: 9114 Location: UK
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#15 (permalink) Mon May 28, 2007 12:29 pm the meaning of "put in for" |
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| Alan wrote: | | Yes, it is in England but maybe it'll catch on one day in New England! | Better not hold your breath.  |
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Yankee I'm a Communicator ;-)

Joined: 16 Apr 2006 Posts: 8265 Location: USA
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