The most common literal use of "put out" is to stop something from burning or to turn off a light source.
This phrase is one of the most versatile in English, ranging from literal actions to complex social situations. 1. Extinguishing Fires or Lights put out
That is quite a broad request! Since you're looking for a "long article," I've put together a comprehensive guide on the many meanings of the phrasal verb The most common literal use of "put out"