Wouldn’t put it past them?

Reader question:

Please explain this quote, with “put it past them” in particular: “I wouldn’t put it past them to do all kinds of things. They passed several anti-gun bills last year including what I believe was an unconstitutional tax on firearms.”

My comments:

They’re capable of doing anything, no matter how bad and unconscionable, i.e. unreasonable and excessive.

That’s what the speaker really thinks.

And, judging from the context given, I thinks this is some gun-loving American talking about Democrats who hate lethal guns in private hands and want to limit its ownership, use and, hence, potential damage to people and society.

This particular speaker doesn’t like the fact the Democrats have passed several anti-gun bills including one that asks for tax on owning firearms.

To the speaker, that is unconstitutional.

“Unconstitutional” is about as serious a sin as there is in a democracy. And so, the idea this speaker tries to convey is:

If they can do this – which is unconstitutional – then, they can do anything.

In the speaker’s own words: I wouldn’t put it past them to do all kinds of things.

All kinds of bad things, that is.

The idiom “putting it past somebody to do something” is kind of hard to explain, but, try to see it this way. John and Jane are seated at the table. John is seated nearer to you. You have an apple which you push past John so that Jane can have it. That is, you put the apple past John so that it is out of John’s reach.

Metaphorically speaking, if you put some action past John, you think that’s an action beyond John’s reach, as that apple is beyond his reach.

In that case, you don’t think John is capable of performing that action.

At any rate, that’s what “past” in this idiom is understood, i.e. beyond. You put something past someone to do something means you put it beyond them.

Beyond, as in beyond reproach, which means beyond criticism. In other words, perfect because no criticism can be made.

In our example, however, very negative connotations are evident. The speaker thinks those gun-hating Democrats can do anything – no matter how unconstitutional, bad and unconscionable.

All right, here are media example of “putting it past someone to do something”, meaning you think they’re capable of doing something, either good or bad, and won’t be surprised if they actually do it:

1. Since Irina Shayk and Tom Brady called it quits, Gigi Hadid has reportedly been nervous about her boyfriend Bradley Cooper and his ex Shayk getting even closer than they already are.

An insider told Life & Style Magazine that Hadid is allegedly worried Shayk may try to rekindle her romance with Cooper, now that she’s single again.

“Irina and Bradley’s relationship now is so unconventionally clingy, it’s enough to make Gigi uncomfortable,” the insider said to the outlet. “They speak every day and know everything about each other’s lives.”

The insider also added, “Gigi doesn’t trust Irina one bit and wouldn’t put it past her to come onto Bradley just for kicks.”

Now, Hadid and Shayk’s frosty relationship isn’t too shocking, especially when you consider that they both attended the 2024 Met Gala, but didn’t cross paths once to even say “Hi.”

Shayk and Cooper have a healthy co-parenting relationship going on, so we understand the consistent communication, but we can also understand Hadid’s alleged point of view.

- Gigi Hadid Is Allegedly ‘Nervous’ About Bradley Cooper Being ‘Unconventionally Clingy’ With This Ex, SheKnows.com, May 11, 2024.

2. Joy Behar is predicting the end of the road for President Joe Biden‘s reelection campaign. On this morning’s episode of The View, the co-host said she thinks the POTUS will drop out of the 2024 presidential race as more Democrats call for him to step aside and his recent Covid diagnosis further complicates his campaign.

Whoopi Goldberg kicked off today’s chat with the news of Rep. Adam Schiff calling on Biden to drop out of the race, which came right as the President tested positive for Covid. In an interview that aired on BET last night (July 17) – which The View played a portion of – President Biden said he would only suspend his presidential campaign if he “had some medical condition.”

When Goldberg asked, “Did the interview change people’s minds?” Behar dejectedly replied, “I don’t think so.”

“It’s so depressing. The whole thing. You know, I think that he’s gonna drop out now. That’s my feeling. I mean, I don’t have any information, but when [Nancy] Pelosi gets into this, and [Sen. Chuck] Schumer, and Schiff and [Hakeem] Jeffries, and they all say it’s time to go…” Behar said, referring to top Democrats who have all reportedly encouraged Biden to drop out.

“The Covid, in a way, is like a good way for him to get out, because he needs this time to show how strong he is, and he’s sick,” Behar continued. “The time is very, very short now. So, I don’t know what’s gonna happen, but I wouldn’t put it past them to just say, ‘Look, Joe. We can’t.’”

Behar then said that she took Pelosi’s words especially seriously, noting that the former Speaker of the House “would not bring a vote to the floor unless she knew it was gonna get passed.”

Behar proclaimed, “This is not a woman who plays games. And she doesn’t feel that he can win, I don’t think.”

A recent New York Times report claimed that Pelosi has said she is “pessimistic” about Biden’s chances of winning the presidency again this fall, joining a chorus of other high-level Democrats who have expressed concern about the President’s chances at the polls this November.

- ‘The View’s Joy Behar Predicts Joe Biden Will Drop Out Of Presidential Race, Decider.com, July 18, 2024.

3. Mohamed Salah’s red-hot form for Liverpool could see him break Jamie Vardy’s record for goals in consecutive Premier League games, according to Alan Shearer.

The Reds attacker, whose future at Anfield remains the subject of intense speculation, has been in sensational form this term with 13 goals in 14 top-flight games.

With Arne Slot’s men seven points clear at the summit of nearest rivals Cheslea and Arsenal, it is clear that the Egypt international’s form has been critical to their joy.

Now Shearer, the competition's all-time top scorer with 260 goals, believes the forward could break Leicester veteran Vardy’s record of scoring in 11 straight matches.

“As a player, when on a run like Salah is, you feel pretty unstoppable,” he told Betfair. “I’ve been in that position myself and you just can’t wait for the next game to come along.

“You don’t go out there hoping you’re going to score, you go out knowing that you’re going to score. Standing in that tunnel when you’re in red hot form, it’s a great feeling.

“It wouldn’t surprise me to see him breaking Jamie Vardy’s Premier League record, especially with the form that he’s in, the player he is and the chances that Liverpool create.

“They’re now coming to a point in the season over Christmas and New Year where there are so many games. Can he break the record? I wouldn’t put it past him, he’s that good.”

Vardy achieved the feat during Leicester’s remarkable run to the Premier League title during the 2015-16 season, making them just one of seven teams to win the title.

- ‘I wouldn't put it past him!’ – Alan Shearer backs Mohamed Salah to break Jamie Vardy’s Premier League record, DAZN.com, December 6, 2024.

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About the author:

Zhang Xin is Trainer at chinadaily.com.cn. He has been with China Daily since 1988, when he graduated from Beijing Foreign Studies University. Write him at: zhangxin@chinadaily.com.cn, or raise a question for potential use in a future column.

（作者：张欣）