put (something) down to (something else)

put (something) down to (something else)

1. To regard a situation, action, or outcome as being the result of some specific aspect, condition, or event. The runner put her leg pain down to simple muscle fatigue, but she was shocked to learn that it was due to deep vein thrombosis. I put most of my success down to the excellent education I received in college.

2. To regard a situation, action, or outcome, especially a negative one, as a means of gaining something positive. I know you're upset about failing your exam, but just put it down to experience and study harder next time. I doubt I'll get my money back for this broken computer. I guess I'll just put it down to learning the hard way to be more careful when I buy used products.

See also: down, put, to

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

put something down to something

 and set something down to something

to explain something as being caused by something else. I put his bad humor down to his illness. We set your failure down to your emotional upset.

See also: down, put, to

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.