put on weight
/pʊt ɒn weɪt/
Meaning
To gain body weight, usually by eating more or exercising less. It is a very natural and common way to talk about getting heavier, and is more polite than saying someone got 'fat'.
Examples
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I think I've put on weight since I started working from home.
I think I've put on weight since I started working from home.
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He needs to put on weight after recovering from that long illness.
He needs to put on weight after recovering from that long illness.
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Don't worry about putting on weight during the holidays; everyone does.
Don't worry about putting on weight during the holidays; everyone does.
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She's trying to put on weight by drinking protein shakes.
She's trying to put on weight by drinking protein shakes.
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Did you put on weight, or did these jeans just shrink in the wash?
Did you put on weight, or did these jeans just shrink in the wash?
Common Mistakes
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✗ I won weight during the winter.
✓ I put on weight during the winter.
'Win' is used for prizes, games, or competitions. To describe an increase in body mass, use 'put on' or 'gain'.
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✗ She put on some weights.
✓ She put on some weight.
'Weight' is uncountable in this context. 'Weights' refers to heavy metal objects used for physical training.
Related Expressions
Practice
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If you keep eating fast food every night, you're going to ___.
💡 To increase your body mass.
Show answer
put on weight
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The doctor told him he needed to ___ because he was too thin.
💡 To gain some mass.
Show answer
put on weight