Mastering the Phrasal Verb: To Put Up With

In this episode of Easy English Expressions, Coach Shane provides an in-depth exploration of the phrasal verb "to put up with." Through personal anecdotes and practical dialogue, he illustrates how this expression is a vital tool for describing the human experience of endurance in the face of unavoidable discomfort.

Defining the Expression

Coach Shane defines the phrase "to put up with" as synonymous with the verb "to endure." It refers to the act of living with something that is "very uncomfortable" or something that you "do not like," yet you find yourself in a position where "there’s nothing you can do" to change the circumstances. The key to using this phrase correctly is the acceptance of a situation while attempting to "keep living and try to be positive."

Real-World Application: Coping with Extremes

To ground the definition, Coach Shane shares his own struggle with the climate after moving from Korea to a desert region in the United States. He describes experiencing temperatures as high as "47 degrees Celsius" (114 degrees Fahrenheit), noting that such extreme heat is dangerous and makes it impossible to go outside without feeling like you might "cook."

Despite the severity of the weather, Coach Shane explains his strategy: "I put up with the heat." He clarifies that while he does not enjoy the extreme temperatures, he manages to "deal with it" and "handle the heat" by utilizing air conditioning. This serves as a perfect example of the phrase—acknowledging a negative reality that cannot be immediately escaped, thus requiring endurance.

Contextualizing Through Dialogue

Coach Shane introduces a sample dialogue to demonstrate how the phrase functions in everyday conversation:

• Speaker A: "I can't put up with this anymore."
• Speaker B: "What? What's bothering you?"
• Speaker A: "The noise! The damn construction!"
• Speaker B: "They'll be here all week. You'll have to put up with it."

This scenario highlights the frustration of external stressors, such as "the damn construction," which can "drive you crazy." The dialogue underscores that even when one feels a strong urge to escape—or as the host humorously suggests, "destroy the construction"—the reality of the situation dictates that one must simply "put up with it."

Personal Reflection and Engagement

Reflecting on his own childhood, Coach Shane admits that he had to "put up with" his younger sister, who he describes as "wild" and "crazy." Because he was dependent on his parents for food and housing, he had no choice but to tolerate the situation.

He concludes the episode by inviting listeners to reflect on their own lives:

• Do you have to "put up with" a neighbor, co-worker, or family member?
• Are you currently forced to "put up with" a restrictive diet, such as having to eat "bland, tasting food" without sugar or chocolate due to health concerns?

By encouraging listeners to identify their own sources of endurance, Coach Shane effectively reinforces the utility of the phrase, helping learners of English move beyond textbook definitions to understand the emotional and practical nuances of the language.