put someone up for something—
1. propose smb. as a candidate for a position:
- We’ll put him up for treasurer at the next committee meeting.
2. bring a person into court to stand trial:
- The jewel thieves will be put up for trial next month.
Note: The expression is not antonymous in meaning to the phrase put someone down for something—
1. decide that smb. is a particular kind of person:
- I fear they put me down for a prig, an upstart, an abominable aristocrat.
2. put a person’s name on a list of participants, contributors, etc.:
- We’re having a picnic and everyone is bringing something. Can I put you down for potato salad?
put someone up to something—
1. prepare smb. for a job or task; instruct a person:
- Get an expert to put him up to the job in as short a time as possible.
2. encourage a person to behave mischievously or unlawfully:
- He’s not been out of trouble all term, and he’s been put up to it by some of the older boys.