put out: meaning and explanation
The phrasal verb to put something out means to stop something (e.g. a fire) burning. e.g. We were able to put the fire out before it caused too much damage.
This phrasal verb can also be used for cigarettes, e.g. Would you mind putting out your cigarette? You aren’t allowed to smoke here.
Have a go at this dictation exercise to hear this phrasal verb being used in context – how much can you understand?
Dictation #1
Accent: Ireland
…The fire brigade managed to put out the fire…
To manage to do something = to succeed in doing something (which was probably difficult). e.g. It wasn’t easy but I managed to convince Harry to stay.
Discussion questions
Write your answers to these questions in the comments section, and I’ll get back to you with some feedback:
- Have you ever had to put out a fire? What happened?
- Have you ever asked someone to put out their cigarette?
Have you ever had to put out a fire? What happened? yes, when I was child, I had to put out a fire in my house, because it was burning part of the roof of the house.
Wow – well done! How old were you at the time?!
No, I never had to put fire. God saved me!
Lucky you!
Remember you can use the phrasal verb here (to put out a fire).
Also, because you’re talking about your whole life (an unfinished period), the best tense to use would be the present perfect: “I’ve never had to put out a fire”. Let me know if you need any more examples 🙂
When I was child during New Year the fir-tree suddenly started to burn and I had to put it out. My father put it out.
Good example Seva! We would say ‘Christmas tree’ rather than fir tree.
How did it catch fire? I’ve heard that in some countries they decorate the tree with candles – very risky!
My dad tried to use firecracker (I don’t know how exactly it cald, this special thing that when you pull the thread, from the inside shootout multicolored small pieces of paper) on the Christmas tree for rejoicing, but this one caught on the cotton under the tree and began to burn 🙂
That sounds like what we call a party popper. The ones we have don’t catch fire though 🙂
It was a good experience for me and entertainment learning way. Thanks
I don’t understand anything, is very faster for me, what can I do?? Some one exercise less difficult for me?
Don’t worry – these exercises are very challenging.
Try using the ‘easy’ option to begin with, and remember that it doesn’t matter if you don’t understand anything – listening repeatedly and then checking the answer will still help you.
One possibility is doing this on one day and then checking the answer, then doing the same exercise again the next day to see if you can remember/recognise the missing words.
Be patient, keep practising and you will improve 🙂
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Hi Taty, thank you very much! It’s so nice to hear comments like that – I really appreciate it 🙂 Thank you for recommending the site to your friends!
Let me know if you have any doubts or questions – I’m happy to help
Chris
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Thank you Taty 🙂
My answer will be short. Fortunately, I’ve never have to put out a fire. Maximum – put out the light before sleeping 🙂
Glad to hear it Sveta 🙂
One tiny mistake in this section: “I’ve never have to put out a fire”. Can you identify it?