Meaning trap
put down
to criticize or insult someone
To say something that makes someone feel stupid or unimportant.
Don't mix these meanings
Same phrase, different job.
To say something that makes someone feel stupid or unimportant.
Another meaning of 'put down' is 'to place something on a surface'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
He always puts people down to make himself feel better.
In my opinion, it's important not to put others down, especially when working in a team, because it can hurt their confidence.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: He always puts down me in front of others.
Say: He always puts me down in front of others.
With a pronoun, the object goes in the middle: 'put me down'.
Which sounds natural?
Tap the one a native speaker would say.
'Put down' is the everyday verb for belittling someone; 'disparage' is formal.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
put + someone + down
- me down
- her down
- others down
- down in public
Don't confuse it
Related
Other meanings and phrases to compare.
- put down (to place something on a surface) — Another meaning of 'put down' is 'to place something on a surface'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.