pedestal

*on a pedestal

Fig. elevated to a position of honor or reverence. (Alludes to honoring someone on display on a pedestal like a statue. *Typically: place someone ~; put someone ~.) He puts his wife on a pedestal. She can do no wrong in his opinion. I was just doing my job. There is no point in placing me on a pedestal!

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put somebody on a pedestal

to believe that someone is perfect The way her father put her on a pedestal just made her want to behave badly.

See also: put

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put somebody/something on a pedestal

to behave as if one person is more important than others They put the local doctor on a pedestal, seldom questioning his word or his authority. Professional athletes are often put on a pedestal, and they forget that the fans pay their salaries.

Usage notes: the opposite meaning is expressed by take or knock someone off their pedestal: You know something will happen that will knock her off her pedestal.

See also: put