Places on a pedestal is a phrase that refers to the act of honoring or revering someone or something. IDOLIZES, deifies, and EXALTS are all words that describe this concept. IDOLIZES means to admire or revere someone or something as a god or ideal. Deifies means to make someone or something a god or to treat them as if they were divine. EXALTS means to raise someone or something to a higher level of honor or esteem. All three words can be used to describe the act of placing someone or something on a pedestal.