put-up job

[vil]

Dear teachers,

I read the following sentences in Priestly’s “An Inspector Call”.

Wait a minute, wait a minute. Don’t be in such a hurry to put yourself into court. That interview with your mother could have been just as much a put-up job, like all this police inspector business. The whole damned thing can have been a piece of bluff.

The expression in bold focused my attention. The authentic meaning the present idiom is “A prearranged conspiracy, especially a crime such as a burglary as in,

The police suspected that the butler was in on it--it was a put-up job.

In my private opinion there is a more suitable meaning namely “an adjusted job, a catchy bit of work, there is something fishy about this job, frame up”.

Would you share your view?

Thank you in advance for your efforts.

Regards.

V.

[susiedqq]

The idiom is appropriate for the style of the writing and helps the reader get an idea of the personality of the character speaking.

[daznorthants]

Originally Posted by vil

Dear teachers,

The police suspected that the butler was in on it--it was a put-up job.
V.

If the the butler was in on it then the better expression might be an 'inside job'. This is where someone from inside an organisation has information to help commit a crime.

A put-up job is more akin to a person encouraging someone to commit a crime in order that the person is then in trouble with the law. It being 'put-up' therefore it might not of existed without that person.

[vil]

Hi susieqdd,

To tell the truth, your explanation passes beyond my comprehension. Maybe it was written very academic. I miss the point. I insist on my version about the key word “staging” “setting” “treatment”. Please turn your attention towards the expression “a piece of bluff” in the original text.

bluff = to cause to accept what is false, especially by trickery or misrepresentation

Do you know what means “four-flash”?

Please, make a strict interpretation of the expression in question “a put up job”.

Regards.

V.

[susiedqq]

Here's my take on this:

"Wait a minute, wait a minute. Don’t be in such a hurry to put yourself into court. That interview with your mother could have been just as much an elaborate con to deceive you, the same as all this police inspector business is. The whole damned thing could have been a way to trick you.


The terms "put up job" and "piece of bluff" are something that a detective in the 1940s would say. Like I said before, using these terms gives the reader the mood and character of the person speaking.

[vil]

Hi daznorthants,

I agree categorical upon your both interpreattions.

Tahnk you for your bcking.

Regards.

V.

[vil]

Hi susiedqq,

Thank you for your comprehensive explanation. It corresponds exactly to my inward feeling regarding the matter in question.

TYhank you also for your ingenuity.

Regards.

V.