put (someone or something) through his/her/its paces

idiom

: to test what someone or something can do
We brought home three different computers and put them through their paces.

Examples of put (someone or something) through his/her/its paces in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Pressroom and the adjacent Bar Mercury are expected to have a grand opening and ribbon cutting Thursday, though the staff was put through its paces with several private events held during GTC, Nvidia’s big tech conference, and over the weekend. — Sal Pizarro, The Mercury News, 23 Mar. 2025 The combination, makers say, is flexible and sturdy enough to resist leaks, tears, and cracks as the hose is put through its paces. — Miles Walls, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Mar. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

put (someone or something) in the shade
put (someone or something) through his/her/its paces
put (someone or something) to shame
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Put (someone or something) through his/her/its paces.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/put%20%28someone%20or%20something%29%20through%20his%2Fher%2Fits%20paces. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

More Words with Remarkable Origins

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
burrowing owl athene cunicularia tilts its head outside its burrow on marco island florida
Guess the Curious Origins of These Everyday Words Oh, that’s where that comes from…
See All