put-on
C1/C2 (Low-frequency, mostly in literary, critical, or informal analytical contexts)Informal, sometimes literary or critical. More common in American English than British.
Definition
Meaning
an act or instance of pretending, deceiving, or behaving in an insincere manner; a hoax or deception.
can also refer to something affected or adopted as a pose (e.g., a put-on accent), or, as a verb (to put on), to deceive or tease someone by feigning.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a noun describing a deceptive performance. As a verb phrase ('put someone on'), it implies playful or teasing deception, not usually malicious. Contrast with 'setup' (which prepares a situation) or 'pretence' (which is broader).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The noun 'put-on' is more established and frequent in American English. In British English, 'affectation', 'pretence', or 'act' are more common for similar meanings. The verb phrase 'to put someone on' (to tease/deceive) is distinctly American.
Connotations
In AmE, often carries a connotation of humorous or theatrical deception. In BrE, if used, might sound slightly Americanized or jargon-ish.
Frequency
Low frequency in both, but significantly higher in AmE, particularly in media criticism and informal speech.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
It's a [ADJ] put-on.Her [NOUN] was a put-on.He saw through the put-on.to put on a [NOUN] (as a deception)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “It's all a put-on.”
- “Don't put me on! (AmE informal = Don't tease/joke with me.)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Possibly in contexts of corporate image or PR: 'The CEO's humility felt like a calculated put-on.'
Academic
Used in literary, film, or cultural studies criticism to analyse performance and authenticity.
Everyday
Informal, for calling out insincere behaviour: 'His outrage was a total put-on.'
Technical
Not typical.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- (Less common) Are you putting me on? I don't believe for a second you met the Queen.
American English
- He's just putting you on with those stories about his yacht. Don't take him seriously.
adjective
British English
- (Rare as adjective) There was a put-on quality to her enthusiasm that was off-putting.
American English
- He answered with a put-on Southern drawl that made everyone laugh.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- His shock was a complete put-on; he had known about the surprise party all along.
- She saw through his put-on ignorance and realised he was actually very well-informed.
- The journalist argued that the singer's 'rebellious' image was a cynical put-on crafted by her management.
- His entire persona—the worn leather jacket, the gruff voice—was an elaborate put-on designed to fit into the artistic community.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of an actor PUTting ON a costume of personality. The act is a 'put-on'.
Conceptual Metaphor
AUTHENTICITY IS NAKEDNESS / DECEPTION IS A GARMENT (putting on false clothes).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate literally as 'надеть' (to put on clothes). The noun 'put-on' is about false behaviour, not clothing. Closer concepts: 'притворство', 'обман', 'розыгрыш'.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a direct synonym for 'joke' (a put-on is sustained pretence, not a one-liner).
- Confusing the noun 'a put-on' with the phrasal verb 'to put on' meaning to don clothing.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the noun 'put-on' LEAST likely to be used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is primarily informal. It appears in literary or critical writing but retains an informal, often conversational tone.
A 'lie' is a false statement. A 'put-on' is a broader performance or affectation of a false attitude, emotion, or identity, often for theatrical, humorous, or social effect.
Yes, but as the phrasal verb 'to put (someone) on', meaning to tease or deceive playfully. This usage is predominantly American informal.
Yes, when used as a noun or adjective (a put-on accent). The verb form is not hyphenated (to put someone on).