Phrase guide

put out to pasture

verb · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To make someone retire, especially due to advancing age.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: informal

Examples

  • They've put John out to pasture and replaced him with someone who's got half his experience.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: put out to grass

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To discontinue something.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: informal

Examples

  • That version of the program has been put out to pasture.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see put out, to, pasture.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From the practice of putting draft animals too old to work in a pasture.

Across languages

Translations

4 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: siirtää eläkkeelle — to make someone retire
  • Finnish: panna eläkkeelle — to make someone retire
  • German: aufs Abstellgleis schieben — to make someone retire
  • Polish: pójść w odstawkę — to make someone retire