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

Note: 
Neither expression correlates in meaning with the phrase
put something down as something
— describe or characterize
smth. as a particular type of thing: Their labors were put down
by historians as a calculated effort to police the world.
put something in hand • take something in hand
put something in hand —undertake a task; begin work on
smth.: We have put the work in hand, and it should be com-
pleted within the next week.
take something in hand —
1
. = put something in hand: We are
just now taking in hand a massive program for the redevel-
opment of the city center. 2. take charge or control of smth.:
She was no business woman, and until her son took them in
hand, her affairs were chaotic.
put something in question • put something to the
question
put something in question —(also: call something into question)
express serious doubts about smth.: The increase in unem-
ployment would arouse such mass opposition that the very
existence of capitalism would be put in question.
put something to the question —cause smth. (of importance)
to be discussed or considered: We’re having a family gathering
this evening, and the matter of the annual holiday will be put
to the question.
put something on foot • put something on its feet
put something on foot—(also: set something on foot) initiate a
process or action: The bishop had decided to put on foot
another investigation.
put something on its feet—(also: set something on its feet) make
smth. economically self-supporting, especially after a period
of difficulties: This summer’s good trade should put the busi-
ness on its feet.
put something on one side • take someone on one
side
put something on one side —
1
. delay consideration of or post-
pone dealing with smth.: When we first used it, we weren’t
sure how it would work out, so we only put it on one side. 2.
set smth. aside for some future purpose: Anything I have left
over from my week’s wages I usually put on one side, for emer-
gencies.
take someone on one side —take a person aside to speak to
him in confidence: I was taken on one side by a man I knew
vaguely and told to get out of town.