put forward

phrasal verb·2 senses·particle forward

Meanings

1

Propose or suggest

Showinguncommon

Why “forward”? An idea or person is pushed forward into view for others to consider.

He put forward a new idea at the meeting.
He proposed a new idea during the meeting.
Nina put forward a cheaper plan.
Nina proposed a cheaper plan.
Several theories have been put forward to explain the data.
Several theories have been proposed as explanations for the data.
2

Advance a clock

Why “forward”? A clock or event is moved forward to an earlier point on the timeline.

We put the clocks forward in spring.
In spring we set the clocks an hour ahead.
The hotel put all room clocks forward by ten minutes.
The hotel set all room clocks ten minutes ahead.
The kitchen clock had been put forward by ten minutes.
Someone had set the kitchen clock ten minutes fast.

Don't confuse with

put forwardput across

Put forward means propose or suggest. Put across means communicate clearly.

Test yourself

He put forward a new idea at the meeting. What does it mean?

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