Put something on the map is an idiom that is been in use for hundreds of years. We will examine the meaning of the common idiom put something on the map, where it came from, and some examples of its idiomatic usage in sentences.
To put something on the map means to make someone or something famous, to bring renown to someone or something. For instance, one may say that the success of a certain product put a company on the map or winning a certain game put a soccer team on the map. The expression to put something on the map came into use in the early 1900s and refers to a town growing to the point that it is important enough to to be included in a map. The term eventually came to mean to make other things important. Related phrases are puts something on the map, putting something on the map.
Examples
Despite being the youngest in the competition at 23, non-binary drag queen Etcetera Etcetera’s loud personality and detailed designs has definitely put them on the map this season. (Daily Mail)
It isn’t that Danish hasn’t directed before. In fact, he has been the man behind adventurous ventures such as Hum Sab Ajeeb Say Hain and more, but the current Ramazan sitcom seems to have put him on the map as a major player. (Express Tribune)
“To be acknowledged once again for one of my biggest records that I wrote and performed, which went number one in many countries around the world, putting me on the map globally as an Australian artist, singer and songwriter, was a great privilege..” (Greek Reporter)