not put (something) past (one)(redirected from wouldn't put something past you)not put (something) past (one)1. To believe one is capable of doing something unsavory, immoral, illicit, selfish, etc. He's a very charming guy, but I wouldn't put it past him to stab me in the back if it meant advancing his career. 2. To be unable to swindle, fool, or deceive one. MY grandmother might be 85, but you still can't put a thing past her! That sleazy used car salesman couldn't put his bogus little scam past me.not put something past someoneConsider someone capable of doing something, especially something bad. For example, I wouldn't put it past him to tell a lie or two. This expression uses past in the sense of "beyond." [Late 1800s]wouldn't put it past someoneIf you say that you wouldn't put it past someone to do something bad, you mean that you would not be surprised if they did it. He wouldn't put it past Caitlin to have stopped work and gone home for the night, even though she knew how important it was.