A dictionary of Confusable Phrases: More Than 10,000 Idioms and Collocations

Note: 
Neither expression correlates in meaning with the phrase
swap places with someone—exchange seats, jobs, etc. with
another person: In France last year there was an inmate who
swapped places with his twin and escaped.
put oneself in someone’s shoes • step into
 someone’s shoes
put oneself in someone’s shoes—(also: put oneself in someone’s
place) imagine oneself to be in smb.’s position or predicament:
Lest the readers think that I am being too hard on Mr. Blair,
or not “putting myself in his shoes,” let me briefly explain my
situation.
step into someone’s shoes —succeed a person in a job, position,
etc.: He will retire soon and there are several people hoping
to step into his shoes. Cf.: wait for dead men’s shoes — wait for
the death of a person with the hope of succeeding to his possessions
or office: The whole propertied class is waiting for dead men’s
shoes all the time.
See also: be in someone’s shoes / fill someone’s shoes.
put out the flags • show the flag
put out the flags —celebrate some special occasion, such as
one’s victory, success, etc.: I think it is premature to put out
the flags for the government’s proposals.
show the flag —(also: fly the flag ) support or represent one’s
country (by attending an event): The Kuwaiti team won no
medals, but said they were only in Peking to show the flag.
put someone away • put someone off
put someone away—
1
. confine a person in a mental home or
prison: It was like those nightmares in which the dreamer sees
himself put away for lunacy. 2. (euph., of an animal) put to
death: The dog Billy was dying, and in September he had to
be put away.
put someone off —
1
. allow a person to leave a vehicle: Would
you please put me off at the railway station? 2. discourage a
person from smth.: I’ve been trying to see you, but your sec-