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pedestal

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place (someone or something) (up) on a pedestal

To believe or behave as if someone or something is perfect, extraordinarily wonderful, or better than others. I know it's easy to be smitten with a romantic partner, but I don't think it's healthy for one to place the other up on a pedestal. Stephen has been placing classic literature on a pedestal ever since college, so he gets really judgmental of other genres he deems to be inferior.

See also: on, pedestal, place

set (someone or something) (up) on a pedestal

To believe or behave as if someone or something is perfect, extraordinarily wonderful, or better than others. I know it's easy to be smitten with a romantic partner, but I don't think it's healthy for one to set the other up on a pedestal. Stephen has been setting classic literature on a pedestal ever since college, so he gets really judgmental of other genres he deems to be inferior.

See also: on, pedestal, set

*on a pedestal

Fig. elevated to a position of honor or reverence. (Alludes to honoring someone on display on a pedestal like a statue. *Typically: place someone ~; put someone ~.) He puts his wife on a pedestal. She can do no wrong in his opinion. I was just doing my job. There is no point in placing me on a pedestal!

See also: on, pedestal

put somebody/something on a pedestal

to behave as if one person is more important than others They put the local doctor on a pedestal, seldom questioning his word or his authority. Professional athletes are often put on a pedestal, and they forget that the fans pay their salaries.

Usage notes: the opposite meaning is expressed by take or knock someone off their pedestal: You know something will happen that will knock her off her pedestal.

See also: on, pedestal, put

put somebody on a pedestal

to believe that someone is perfect The way her father put her on a pedestal just made her want to behave badly.

See also: on, pedestal, put

on a pedestal, put

Also, set on a pedestal. Greatly admire, magnify in importance, as in Youngsters tend to put rock stars on a pedestal, forgetting that they're human. This expression alludes to the raised position of a statue on a pedestal. [Mid-1800s]

See also: on, put