Phrase guide

put pen to paper

verb · 2 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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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To write something (especially using pen and ink).

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, intransitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To begin to write something.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, intransitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

15 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 下筆 /下笔 (xiàbǐ) — to write
  • Chinese Mandarin: 落筆 /落笔 (luòbǐ) — to write
  • Finnish: kirjoittaa — to write
  • Finnish: kirjoittaa kynällä — to write
  • German: zu Papier bringen — to write
  • Hungarian: tollat ragad — to write
  • Spanish: esgrimir el lapicero — to write
  • Spanish: poner el lapicero a papel — to write
  • Chinese Mandarin: 下筆 /下笔 (xiàbǐ) — to begin to write
  • Chinese Mandarin: 落筆 /落笔 (luòbǐ) — to begin to write
  • Finnish: tarttua kynään — to begin to write
  • German: die Feder ansetzen — to begin to write
  • Hungarian: írni kezd — to begin to write
  • Spanish: esgrimir el lapicero — to begin to write
  • Spanish: poner el lapicero a papel — to begin to write