put to shame

put (someone or something) to shame

1. To disgrace, embarrass, or shame someone or something. The neighborhood is going to start putting people to shame who don't pick up after their pets. These giant banks were all culpable for the economic crash, and I think we should put them to shame for it.

2. To outclass, outshine, or outperform someone or something. I thought I was a pretty good tennis player, but you put me to shame! The fledgling technology company's debut smartphone puts the rest of the competition to shame.

See also: put, shame, to

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

put someone to shame

 

1. to embarrass someone; to make someone ashamed. I put him to shame by telling everyone about his bad behavior.

2. to show someone up. Your excellent efforts put us all to shame.

See also: put, shame, to

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

put to shame

Outdo, eclipse, as in Jane's immaculate kitchen puts mine to shame. This idiom modifies the literal sense of put to shame, that is, "disgrace someone," to the much milder "cause to feel inferior." [Mid-1800s]

See also: put, shame, to

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

put somebody/something to ˈshame

be much better than somebody/something: This new stereo puts our old one to shame.

See also: put, shame, somebody, something, to

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

put to shame

1. To cause to feel shame.

2. To outdo thoroughly; surpass: Your kindness has put the rest of us to shame.

See also: put, shame, to

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.