To Put Down
To Set Down, To Place, To Put
godan verb
When you put something you don't just put it, you have to put down this item or even (to) set down the item. Basically, you have to put something down with this verb. It's a little different from the kanji meaning you learned but not that different.
おく
Since this word consists of a kanji with hiragana attached, you can bet that it will use the kun'yomi reading. You didn't learn that reading with this kanji, so here's a mnemonic to help you: Just imagine you're putting down Oreos (お). One after another. Each oreo that you try to put down say in your head "Hello Mr. Oreo, I'm going to put you down.. ooh yes, you like that don't you?" REPEAT.
フグと私は今距離を置いてるの。
Fugu and I are putting some distance between us right now.