place
place — verb
1. to set someone or something carefully in a chosen spot, often with attention to
to set someone or something carefully in a chosen spot, often with attention to where exactly it goes.
Mei placed the warm cake on the kitchen counter to cool.
place + object + on/in + location
The nurse placed a small pillow under Mr. Lin's left knee.
place + object + under + location
Diego placed his hand gently on his daughter's shoulder.
place + body part + on + location
Please place your phones in the basket before the meeting begins.
polite imperative for instructions
The waiter placed two glasses of water in front of Sara and her mother.
- place carefully
- place gently
- place neatly
- place side by side
Grammar Patterns
place + object + prepositional phrase of location
Usage Note
More careful and deliberate than 'put'. Subject is usually a person; object is almost always followed by a prepositional phrase saying where.
Common Mistakes
2. to end a race, contest, or election at a particular ranking, such as second, fif
to end a race, contest, or election at a particular ranking, such as second, fifth, last, or among the top ten.
Anya placed second in the citywide swimming finals last weekend.
place + ordinal + in + event
The Brazilian team placed third at the youth swimming championship in Tokyo.
place + ordinal + in + named event
Felix placed first in the science fair and won a small trophy.
place first + in + event
Carlos placed last in his first marathon but felt proud of finishing.
place last (lower-rank usage)
The mayor placed fourth in the election and lost her seat on the council.
election context, not just sport
- place first
- place second
- place third
- place last
- place high
- place in the top ten
- withdraw
to drop out before finishing
Grammar Patterns
place + ordinal (first / second / third / last)
place + in + competition or 'in the top X'
Usage Note
Intransitive: no direct object. The ordinal (first, second, third, fourth, last) goes directly after 'placed', not after 'in'. Also pairs with 'in the top X'. Without an ordinal or rank phrase, the meaning is unclear in everyday English — bare 'She placed in the contest' belongs only to the horse-racing senses (7 and 8).
Common Mistakes
3. to formally request or set up a transaction such as an order, a bet, or an adver
to formally request or set up a transaction such as an order, a bet, or an advertisement, usually by contacting the right person or company.
The bakery placed a large order for flour with a local farm.
place an order with + supplier
Hiroshi placed a small bet on the grey horse to win.
place a bet on + something
The shop placed an advertisement in the Sunday newspaper.
place an advertisement in + medium
Customers can place an order online or call the store directly.
place an order online
Marta placed a bid of two hundred dollars on the old painting.
place a bid on + item
- place an order
- place a bet
- place a bid
- place an advertisement
- place a call
Grammar Patterns
place + an order/bet/advertisement (+ with/on/in)
Usage Note
Very limited set of objects: order, bet, bid, advertisement, call. Frequently followed by 'with' (a supplier), 'on' (an event), or 'in' (a publication).
Common Mistakes
4. to arrange a job, home, or position for someone, usually through an agency, scho
to arrange a job, home, or position for someone, usually through an agency, school, or official body.
The agency placed Sofia in a kindergarten near her new flat.
place + person + in + workplace
Social workers placed the two children with a foster family.
place + person + with + family
The university placed half of last year's graduates in major hospitals.
passive-leaning use with institution as subject
Mr. Patel was placed as head of the design team last month.
passive: be placed as + role
The charity helps place older workers in part-time jobs.
- place in a job
- place with a family
- place in foster care
- successfully place
Grammar Patterns
place + person + in/with + organisation or family
Usage Note
Subject is usually an organisation (agency, school, charity), not the person being placed. Often used in the passive: 'be placed in/with'.
Common Mistakes
5. to treat something as having a certain level of value, trust, blame, or attentio
to treat something as having a certain level of value, trust, blame, or attention, by giving it that quality through your actions or words.
Director Saito places great importance on punctuality, locking the rehearsal room doors at 9 AM sharp.
place + importance/emphasis + on + topic
The new manager places a lot of trust in his junior staff.
place trust in + people
The judge placed the blame for the accident on the driver.
place blame on + person
Critics have placed too much emphasis on the singer's age.
The school places a high value on reading aloud at home.
place a high value on + activity
- place importance on
- place emphasis on
- place trust in
- place blame on
- place value on
- withdraw
to take back trust or support given earlier
Grammar Patterns
place + abstract noun + on + thing
Usage Note
The object is always an abstract noun (importance, emphasis, trust, blame, value, faith), and 'on/in' + the topic almost always follows. Distinguish from sense 1: this sense is about treating something as important, not about physical placement.
Common Mistakes
6. to work out who a person is or where you have met them before, by linking their
to work out who a person is or where you have met them before, by linking their face or voice to a memory.
I know that woman from somewhere, but I just can't place her.
common pattern: can't place + person
Tom recognised the song instantly but couldn't place the singer.
couldn't place + person
Marisa's face looked familiar, yet Dr. Yu struggled to place her.
It took me a moment to place him as the boy from my old class.
place + person + as + role
I finally placed the accent — she was from the same village as my grandmother.
place + a feature you've been trying to identify
- can't place
- couldn't place
- struggle to place
- try to place
- finally place
- forget
to lose the memory of who someone is
Grammar Patterns
often used in negative or 'can't' forms
Usage Note
Almost always used with 'can/could' in the negative ('can't place', 'couldn't place'), or with effort verbs ('struggle to place', 'try to place'). Subject is the person trying to remember.
Common Mistakes
7. in horse racing, to come second in a race, with first being called 'win' and thi
in horse racing, to come second in a race, with first being called 'win' and third being called 'show'.
Silver Arrow placed at Churchill Downs, beaten only by the favorite from Kentucky.
intransitive: subject is the horse, no object
My uncle bet on Lucky Penny to place, so he won money when she came second.
betting collocation: bet to place
The grey mare placed in three races last season but never crossed the line first.
If your horse places, the bookmaker pays a smaller amount than for a win.
conditional clause showing the betting rule
- place at [racetrack]
- bet to place
- horse placed
- finish second
plain everyday equivalent
- come second
British everyday equivalent
- win
to finish first
Grammar Patterns
place + (in race)
Usage Note
Almost exclusively American horse racing terminology. Distinguish from sense 8: in this narrow American sense, 'place' specifically means second, while in British usage and sense 8 it can mean any of the top three.
Common Mistakes
8. in British horse and dog racing, to cross the line in one of the top spots that
in British horse and dog racing, to cross the line in one of the top spots that pay out for a place bet — usually the first three.
Northern Star placed at Ascot, finishing third behind two Irish runners.
intransitive in racing context
Granddad backed three greyhounds to place, and two of them did.
betting collocation: back to place
The trainer was happy that his young colt placed in such a strong field.
If a horse places in a six-runner race, you usually get half your odds back.
conditional showing the bookmaker rule
- back a horse to place
- each-way bet to place
- placed in a strong field
- be placed
British: the passive form is also common — 'the horse was placed'
- finish in the frame
British racing slang for the same idea
- be unplaced
to finish outside the paying positions
Grammar Patterns
place + (in race)
Usage Note
Distinguish from sense 7: this British racing use covers any of the top three (the exact range depends on the field size and the bookmaker), whereas the American sense 7 means second specifically. Distinguish from sense 2 in that sense 2 needs an ordinal after the verb ('placed third'), while this racing sense stands alone.
Common Mistakes
a place in the sun
idioma position or situation that brings happiness, success, or recognition that someone has long wanted.
After years of small roles, Lila finally found her place in the sun on Broadway.
Every young artist dreams of a place in the sun.
know your place
idiomto behave in a way that fits your social or professional rank, usually by not speaking out or acting above it.
The old butler always knew his place and never joined the family's conversations.
Young workers were expected to know their place and listen to senior staff.
place — noun
1. a city, town, building, or area that you can visit, live in, or point to on a ma
a city, town, building, or area that you can visit, live in, or point to on a map.
Kyoto is a beautiful place to visit in autumn.
a place to + verb (infinitive of purpose)
The old library on Maple Street is my favourite place in town.
Marcus marked three places on the map where the concerts would be held.
The beach near Lina's grandmother's house is a quiet place for reading.
a place for + noun/-ing
Tokyo is one of the most exciting places on Earth.
- a quiet place
- a busy place
- a public place
- a safe place
- a place to live
Grammar Patterns
a place to + verb
a place for + noun/-ing
Usage Note
Most general sense: any spot you can name or point to. Often takes a defining to-infinitive ('a place to eat') or 'for' phrase ('a place for kids').
Common Mistakes
2. the house or apartment where someone lives — usually said in a casual way to mea
the house or apartment where someone lives — usually said in a casual way to mean 'my home' or 'your home'.
Do you want to come over to my place after dinner?
informal: my place = my home
Sarah's place is just two stops away on the metro.
We had the meeting at Daniel's place because his living room is bigger.
The Watanabe family is looking for a new place near the park.
I left my keys at your place last weekend.
- my place
- your place
- come over to my place
- find a new place
Grammar Patterns
my/your/his/her/their place
Usage Note
Distinct from sense 1 because it always refers to a residence and is mostly informal. Almost always used with a possessive (my, your, Sarah's) — bare 'a place' here would shift the meaning back to sense 1.
Common Mistakes
3. in the phrase 'take place', when an event such as a meeting, ceremony, or exam a
in the phrase 'take place', when an event such as a meeting, ceremony, or exam actually occurs at a chosen time, usually as scheduled.
The wedding will take place next Saturday at the old church in Tainan.
take place + time/location
Final exams take place every June at the university.
take place + time
The meeting between the two presidents took place behind closed doors.
took place + manner
Carnival takes place in February and lasts for five noisy days.
takes place + time
Sarah was nervous about the interview that would take place the following morning.
would take place + time
- take place at
- take place on
- take place in
- the event takes place
Grammar Patterns
[event] + take place
Usage Note
Almost always appears in the fixed phrase 'take place'. The subject is typically a planned event (meeting, ceremony, exam, performance) rather than an accident or a feeling.
Common Mistakes
4. used in 'in place of' to introduce a substitute — the person or thing that is ch
used in 'in place of' to introduce a substitute — the person or thing that is chosen as a replacement for another in a particular situation.
Lina drank green tea in place of coffee during her pregnancy.
in place of + noun (substitution)
The chef used olive oil in place of butter to make the cake lighter.
In place of the usual Friday lecture, Professor Tanaka showed a short film.
fronted: 'In place of …' opens the sentence
The school sent Mr. Chen to the meeting in place of the principal.
Carlos signed the form in place of his elderly father.
- in place of
- instead of
more common in everyday speech; same meaning
- in lieu of
formal; common in legal and business writing
Grammar Patterns
in place of + noun phrase
Usage Note
Functions as a two-part preposition: must be followed by a noun phrase (the substitute), with the original it replaces appearing as the prepositional object. Use 'instead of' in casual speech; 'in place of' sounds slightly more formal and is common in writing. Distinguish from sense 5 ('take the place of'): sense 4 is a preposition; sense 5 is a verb phrase whose subject is the substitute.
Common Mistakes
5. used in 'take the place of' as a verb phrase: the substitute is the subject and
used in 'take the place of' as a verb phrase: the substitute is the subject and steps into the role the original held, often because that original is gone, broken, or no longer suitable.
Email has largely taken the place of handwritten letters in business.
X has taken the place of Y (replacement over time)
A young teacher from Tainan took the place of Mrs. Wong after she retired.
Nothing can take the place of a parent's love, the social worker told the volunteers.
negative: nothing can take the place of …
Solar panels are slowly taking the place of coal plants on the island.
Marcus offered to take the place of his sister at the wedding rehearsal.
- take the place of
- nothing can take the place of
- replace
shorter and more common; same core meaning
- substitute for
neutral; often used in technical contexts
Grammar Patterns
[substitute] + take the place of + [original]
Usage Note
Distinguish from sense 4 ('in place of'): sense 5 is a verb phrase ('X takes the place of Y') with the substitute as the active subject, while sense 4 is a preposition ('A in place of B') that simply marks A as the substitute. Often used in 'nothing/no one can take the place of …' to express that something is irreplaceable.
Common Mistakes
6. a setting or moment that is suitable, sensible, or proper for a particular activ
a setting or moment that is suitable, sensible, or proper for a particular activity, person, or topic.
A school playground is no place for adults to argue loudly.
no place for + noun/-ing (unsuitable setting)
Daniel said the dinner table was not the place to discuss money.
the place to + verb
Sara's boss reminded everyone that work was not the place for personal jokes.
A small fishing village is the perfect place to relax after a long week.
This is neither the time nor the place to start that conversation.
fixed pair: the time and the place
- the right place
- the wrong place
- no place for
- neither the time nor the place
Grammar Patterns
the place to + verb
this is no place for + noun
Usage Note
Often appears in negative or evaluative frames: 'no place for…', 'not the place to…', 'the right place to…'. Subject is usually a setting (room, table, meeting, village) or an occasion.
Common Mistakes
7. a small spot or point on a surface, on the body, or within a larger area, often
a small spot or point on a surface, on the body, or within a larger area, often the exact part where something happens or appears.
Lina noticed a sore place on her elbow after the volleyball game.
a place on + body part
There was a dark place on the carpet where the coffee had spilled.
Marcus found the place in the book where he had stopped reading.
the place in + container/text (where-clause)
The mechanic pointed to the exact place on the engine that was leaking oil.
Rosa rubbed the sore place above her ankle gently.
- a sore place
- the exact place
- a dark place
- the place where
Grammar Patterns
a place on/in/under + noun
Usage Note
Distinct from sense 1: this refers to a small spot within a larger area, not a whole town or building. Frequently followed by a where-clause that pinpoints the spot ('the place where the wire broke').
Common Mistakes
8. a seat that you have booked, are using, or normally sit in — for example in a th
a seat that you have booked, are using, or normally sit in — for example in a theatre, classroom, train, or plane.
Please take your places; the play is about to start.
take your place(s) (theatre / classroom)
Lina saved a place for me near the window on the school bus.
save a place for + person
Marcus moved to a quieter place at the back of the train.
The teacher asked the children to return to their places after lunch.
There were no places left in the front row of the cinema.
- take your place
- save a place
- in my usual place
- a free place
Grammar Patterns
take a/your place
save a place for + person
Usage Note
Common in classrooms, theatres, and on public transport. Often plural in announcements ('take your places'). Distinguish from sense 14, which refers to a setting at a dinner table rather than a chair in rows.
Common Mistakes
9. a chance to join a school, course, sports team, or workplace, often after being
a chance to join a school, course, sports team, or workplace, often after being chosen from many others.
Maya finally won a place at the medical school in Taipei.
a place at + [school]
Only twenty places are open on the summer art course this year.
places on + [course]
Marcus lost his place on the school football team after the injury.
a place on + [team]
His uncle offered Yusuf a place in the bakery once he finished school.
a place in + [workplace]
More than five hundred students applied for fifty places in the program.
places in + [program]
- win a place
- offer a place
- lose a place
- accept a place
- twenty places available
Grammar Patterns
a place at/in/on [school, team, course, company]
Usage Note
Common in education and recruitment contexts. Distinguish from sense 7 (general spot on a surface) — this sense always implies selection or competition for a limited slot.
Common Mistakes
10. used after 'any', 'some', 'no', or 'every' to mean an unspecified location, much
used after 'any', 'some', 'no', or 'every' to mean an unspecified location, much like 'anywhere' or 'somewhere'.
Carlos could not find his keys any place in the apartment.
any place = anywhere
Let's go some place quiet to talk about the wedding plans.
some place = somewhere
There was no place to sit on the crowded bus to Kaohsiung.
no place = nowhere
Every place we visited in Kyoto had cherry blossoms in bloom.
every place = everywhere
- any place
- some place
- no place
- every place
Grammar Patterns
any/some/no/every + place
Usage Note
Mainly American and informal. British English usually prefers 'anywhere', 'somewhere', etc. as single words. Do not use in formal writing.
Common Mistakes
11. in the phrase 'in place', when a plan, rule, system, or arrangement has been set
in the phrase 'in place', when a plan, rule, system, or arrangement has been set up and is ready to be used or to take effect.
The new safety rules are now in place at every factory in the country.
be in place at + [location]
By Monday morning, the team had a backup plan in place for the launch.
have a plan in place for + [event]
Strict checks are in place to stop dangerous goods entering the port.
checks in place to + [purpose]
The mayor wants better support systems in place before the typhoon season starts.
support systems in place before + [time]
Once the funding was in place, building work began the following week.
funding in place + result clause
- put in place
- have in place
- be in place
- remain in place
- policies in place
- established
more formal; stresses that it has been set up after a process
- set up
informal; describes the action that puts something in place
- operational
technical; for systems that are actively running
- lacking
describes the absence of a needed system
Grammar Patterns
[plan/system/rule] + be in place
Usage Note
Subject is usually an abstract noun (plan, system, rule, policy, measure, funding). Distinguish from sense 16: a screw is 'in place' physically; a policy is 'in place' organizationally.
Common Mistakes
12. used in 'in place' or 'on the spot' to describe running, jumping, or marching wh
used in 'in place' or 'on the spot' to describe running, jumping, or marching where the feet move but the body stays at the same point on the ground.
Coach Lin made the soccer team jog in place for two minutes before practice.
fixed phrase: jog/run in place
When the lift broke, Marcus jumped in place to keep his feet warm.
The dance teacher told the children to march in place until the music started.
march in place + until-clause
Soldiers were ordered to run in place beside their packs.
passive: be ordered to run in place
On rainy mornings, Aunt Rosa skips in place by the kitchen window for exercise.
- run in place
- jog in place
- jump in place
- march in place
- on the spot
British English equivalent for the same physical action
- stationary
more formal; describes the state rather than the action
Grammar Patterns
run/jump in place
Usage Note
Almost always appears in the fixed pattern 'verb + in place' (run, jog, jump, march, skip in place). American English also uses 'on the spot' for the same idea; British English prefers 'on the spot' in this physical sense.
Common Mistakes
13. used in figurative phrases like 'running in place' or 'spinning in place' to des
used in figurative phrases like 'running in place' or 'spinning in place' to describe working hard at a task or project but achieving no real advance.
After three months of meetings, the design team felt they were running in place.
figurative: running in place = no progress
Without new investors, the small bakery has been spinning in place all year.
Maya complained that her thesis research was just running in place.
The peace talks have been stuck in place since the spring elections.
stuck in place + since-phrase
- running in place
- spinning in place
- stuck in place
- treading water
informal; same metaphor of effort without advance
- stagnating
more formal; emphasises a stalled state
- progressing
moving forward toward a goal
Grammar Patterns
run/spin in place (figurative)
Usage Note
Distinguish from sense 12: this sense is figurative (a project, career, or negotiation makes no progress) while sense 12 is literal physical movement. Common subjects are abstract: talks, research, careers, projects.
Common Mistakes
14. the spot at a dining table set for one diner, with their own plate, cutlery, and
the spot at a dining table set for one diner, with their own plate, cutlery, and glass laid out ready to use.
Rosa set an extra place for her cousin at the Sunday lunch.
set a place for + person
Each place at the wedding table had a small card with a guest's name.
Daniel forgot to lay a place for the new neighbour and ran back to the kitchen.
lay a place (British English)
Grandma's place at the head of the table was always set with her favourite blue plate.
The waiter cleared two empty places before bringing dessert.
- set a place
- lay a place
- an extra place
- a place at the table
- place setting
the full name; emphasises the plate, knives, forks, and glasses together
- cover
restaurant industry term for one diner's full setting
Grammar Patterns
set a place for + person
lay a place
Usage Note
Almost always used in cooking, hosting, or restaurant contexts. Often appears with verbs 'set' or 'lay'. Distinguish from sense 8 (a chair in a row of seats); a 'place' here includes the plate and cutlery, not just the chair.
Common Mistakes
15. in the phrase 'out of place', describing something that is sitting in the wrong
in the phrase 'out of place', describing something that is sitting in the wrong location, or someone or something that does not match the surroundings or situation.
Marcus felt out of place at the formal dinner in his old jeans.
feel out of place at + [event]
The bright pink sofa looked completely out of place in the dark study.
look out of place in + [room]
Aunt Rita's loud joke seemed out of place during the quiet memorial service.
seem out of place during + [event]
A single book lay out of place on the carefully arranged shelf.
lie out of place on + [surface]
Lina felt out of place among the experienced lawyers at her first court hearing.
feel out of place among + [people]
- feel out of place
- look out of place
- seem out of place
- be out of place
- misplaced
physical only; for objects in the wrong location
- awkward
social discomfort; describes the person, not the setting
- inappropriate
more formal; for behaviour or comments that do not fit
Grammar Patterns
look/feel/seem + out of place
Usage Note
Almost always used as 'out of place'. Two senses overlap: physical (sofa is in the wrong spot) and social/emotional (a person does not fit in). Context decides which.
Common Mistakes
16. in the phrase 'in place', sitting where it should sit, or held firmly so that it
in the phrase 'in place', sitting where it should sit, or held firmly so that it does not move.
Make sure every screw is in place before you switch the machine on.
be in place before + [action]
Maya pinned her hair in place with a small silver clip.
pin in place with + [tool]
Strong tape held the broken window in place during the storm.
hold in place during + [event]
The librarian checked that each book was back in place on the shelf.
back in place on + [surface]
Two heavy stones kept the tent in place through the windy night.
keep in place through + [event]
- hold in place
- stay in place
- lock in place
- back in place
- click in place
- secured
stronger; suggests fastened so it cannot move
- in position
near-equivalent; slightly more formal
- out of place
physical opposite (see sense 15)
- loose
for things that should be held but are not
Grammar Patterns
be/stay/hold/keep + in place
Usage Note
Distinguish from sense 11 (in place = arranged/ready, abstract). Sense 16 is concrete physical position. If you can point to the object and say 'right there', it's sense 16.
Common Mistakes
17. the proper role, right, or duty that society or a situation gives a person — wha
the proper role, right, or duty that society or a situation gives a person — what they should do, or what they have the standing to do.
As a junior teacher, Hannah felt it was not her place to question how the headmaster ran the school.
it is (not) one's place + to-infinitive
Sarah felt it was her place as the eldest daughter to care for her mother.
The young intern knew his place and waited quietly for the senior lawyers to speak.
fixed phrase: know one's place
Old custom kept women in their place at the back of the temple courtyard.
keep someone in their place
The new manager put the rude clerk firmly in his place at the staff meeting.
put someone in their place
- know one's place
- it is not my place to
- keep someone in their place
- put someone in their place
Grammar Patterns
it is (not) one's place + to-infinitive
Usage Note
Uncountable in this sense. Most common in fixed phrases: 'it is (not) one's place to do something', 'know one's place', 'keep/put someone in their place'. The last two often carry a negative tone, suggesting social hierarchy or rebuke.
Common Mistakes
all over the place
idiomin many different locations, or in a messy and disorganised way.
After the party, snacks and cups were all over the place in the living room.
Marcus's notes for the exam were all over the place, so he could not find the formula he needed.
in the first place
idiomused to talk about the original reason or starting point of something, often when looking back at a mistake.
Lina admitted she should never have agreed to the trip in the first place.
Why did Daniel buy a second printer in the first place when the old one still worked?
out of place
idiomnot suited to the surrounding situation, or not in the right physical position.
Wearing a tuxedo at the casual beach barbecue made Carlos feel completely out of place.
One book was out of place on the shelf, sticking out further than the others.
fall into place
idiomto become clear, organised, or successful after a period of confusion.
Once Maya drew a diagram, the steps of the experiment finally fell into place.
After weeks of planning, the details of the wedding began to fall into place.
take place
idiomto happen, especially as a planned or organised event.
The opening ceremony will take place at the city hall on Saturday morning.
Several robberies took place in the same neighbourhood last month.
in place of
idiomused as a substitute for someone or something else.
Carlos used olive oil in place of butter in the cake recipe.
A young teacher led the class in place of Mrs. Tanaka, who was ill.
to remind someone, often firmly, that they are not as important or correct as they think they are.
The senior nurse quickly put the rude visitor in his place with a calm but firm reply.
Lina put her older brother in his place when he claimed he had cooked the whole meal.
in a lucky position to take advantage of an opportunity that suddenly appears.
Marcus got the job because he was in the right place at the right time when the manager visited.
The photographer was in the right place at the right time to capture the rainbow over the bridge.
to imagine being in another person's situation in order to understand how they feel or why they acted as they did.
Before you judge Marco, try to put yourself in his place for a moment.
If you put yourself in your sister's place, you might see why she felt left out.
be going places
idiomTo become more and more successful in life or work.
Maya is a young architect who is really going places.
After winning the award, Diego knew he was going places.
To act very confidently and annoy others by telling them what to do.
Sara walked in and acted as if she owned the place.
Why does Brian think he owns the place? He just started working here.
To feel happy, sad, worried, or in a certain emotional state.
After the therapy, Min is now in a good place emotionally.
The company has been in a dark place since the scandal broke.
To be able to take advantage of opportunities when they appear.
His success came from being in the right place at the right time.
Aiden got the job because he was in the right place at the right time.
In a situation where you must choose between two unpleasant options.
Maya was caught between a rock and a hard place when both offers had drawbacks.
If I stay, I lose my freedom; if I leave, I lose my family. I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place.
To be in someone else's situation.
I love my life and wouldn't change places with anyone.
Would you swap places with Diego if you could?
fall/slot into place
idiomWhen something complicated becomes clear or organized in your mind.
After reading his diary, everything began to fall into place.
Once I found the missing clue, the whole mystery slotted into place.
Friends or contacts who have power and influence.
Brian got the contract because he has friends in high places.
People in high places often help each other out.
To be replaced by someone or something else.
As the train sped up, houses gave place to open fields.
Old traditions gradually give place to new ones.
To be very dear or loved by someone.
My grandmother will always hold a special place in my heart.
That old park has a place in Sara's heart because she played there as a child.
Someone has good intentions even if they sometimes do the wrong thing.
Min made a mistake, but his heart is in the right place.
Even though she upset you, her heart is in the right place.
Used to give advice by imagining yourself in someone else's situation.
If I were in your place, I would accept the job offer.
If I was in your place, I'd talk to the manager directly.
Used to list reasons or points in an argument.
In the first place, he has the right qualifications for the job.
I don't want to go. In the first place, it's too expensive; in the second place, I'm busy.
In someone's situation or position.
I wouldn't like to be in your place right now.
If you were in my place, what would you do?
in place
idiomIn the correct position or ready for something.
All the chairs were carefully placed in place for the ceremony.
The security measures are now in place for the event.
Instead of someone or something.
You can use honey in place of sugar in this recipe.
The manager sent his assistant to the meeting in his place.
An unusual or bad event is unlikely to happen again in the same way.
Don't worry about another accident; lightning never strikes twice.
He won the lottery twice, but lightning never strikes in the same place twice.
To look extremely clean and neat.
Maya arrived at the interview without a hair out of place.
His uniform was perfect; he didn't have a hair out of place.
a place in the sun
idiomA comfortable or advantageous position compared to others.
After years of hard work, she finally found her place in the sun.
Every immigrant hopes to find a place in the sun in their new country.
pride of place
idiomThe most noticeable or important position among a group of things.
The trophy was given pride of place on the mantelpiece.
In her living room, the painting has pride of place above the fireplace.
To make someone feel embarrassed or less confident because they were too proud.
When he boasted about his wealth, she quickly put him in his place.
The teacher put the rude student in his place with a sharp comment.
To imagine being in someone else's situation.
Put yourself in my place: how would you feel if you lost your job?
Before judging her, try to put yourself in her place.
shelter in place
idiomTo stay indoors during an emergency to protect yourself and others.
During the tornado warning, residents were told to shelter in place.
The school ordered everyone to shelter in place until the danger passed.
To replace someone or something.
Her assistant took her place when she was sick.
Robots have taken the place of many factory workers.
take your place
idiomTo go to the physical position needed for an activity.
Please take your places for the group photo.
The dancers took their places on stage before the music started.
Word family
- placementnounB2
- placeholdernounC1
- displaceverbC1
- displacementnounC1
- misplaceverbB2
- replaceverbA2
- replacementnounB1
- placedadjectiveB2
Synonym discussion
Sense: noun/1
All six words name a point in space, but each highlights a different angle. 'Place' is the broadest and most everyday — it can be a city, a corner of a room, or any spot you can name (Kyoto is a beautiful place to visit). 'Location' is more formal and technical, the word a film crew, courier, or estate agent reaches for ('the new shop's location is on Maple Street'). 'Spot' is informal and usually small or specific ('a sunny spot for a picnic'). 'Site' suggests a place chosen for a particular purpose — a building site, an archaeological site, a campsite. 'Venue' is reserved for the chosen place where a planned event will be held ('the wedding venue overlooks the bay'). 'Setting' is broader still, framing the surrounding scene rather than the dot on the map ('a quiet village is the perfect setting for the novel'). When in doubt, 'place' rarely sounds wrong; the others add precision.
Common collocations
Nouns
- place of work
- place of birth
- place of worship
- place of residence
- meeting place
- hiding place
- resting place
- marketplace
Phrases
- out of place
- in place
- in place of
- take the place of
- in the first place
- all over the place
- from place to place
- a place in the sun
Etymology
English borrowed 'place' from Old French 'place', which named an open square or wide street in a town. The Old French word came from Latin 'platea', meaning a broad street or courtyard, which Romans had themselves taken from Greek 'plateia (hodos)' — literally 'broad way', from the adjective 'platys' meaning flat or wide. The word entered English around the 13th century, first keeping its 'open public square' sense (still visible in town names like Times Square's older counterparts on the Continent). From there it widened to mean any spot or area, then any position — physical, social, or abstract — and by Shakespeare's day it could mean a seat, a job, a rank, or one's proper standing. The verb 'to place' developed slightly later, treating 'place' as something you set things into. The same Greek root gave English 'plateau', 'platypus' (literally 'flat foot'), and the architectural term 'piazza' through a parallel Italian path.