lui mettesse

put, place, put on, start

→ mettere
mett to put, place + esse Imperfect subjunctive, 3rd person singular
verb · 3rd-person singular, imperfect tense Rare #40,933
put, place This is a subjunctive form of “mettere”; its exact translation depends on context.
IT: Voleva che mettesse il libro sul tavolo.
EN: She wanted him to put the book on the table.
put on Used with “si” for putting on clothing or a condom.
IT: Voleva che si mettesse il cappotto.
EN: She wanted him to put on his coat.
start In “mettersi a” + infinitive, means to start doing something.
IT: Era meglio che si mettesse a studiare.
EN: It was better for him to start studying.
Conjugation of mettere
Subjunctive imperfect
SingularPlural
Third mettesse —

Sarebbe un vero guaio se si mettesse a camminare in giro.

It would be a real problem if he started walking around.

— Nessuno lo sa (2004)

Linda voleva che Dan si mettesse un preservativo.

Linda wanted Dan to put on a condom.

Allora la maestra le fece cenno che mettesse fuori la voce.

So the teacher gestured for her to speak up.

I miei colleghi capitani si aspettavano che si mettesse subito sulla difensiva.

My fellow captains expected him to immediately get defensive.

Vorrei che lo mettesse negli Yankees.

I wish he'd put him on the Yankees.

— American Gangster (2007)