English idioms related to Society, Law & Politics

English idioms related to Society, Law & Politics - Punishment

school icon16 Words
9 min
to slap sb on the wrist
phrase
to give someone a mild warning or punish them in a way that is not harsh
1
to bring sb to book
phrase
to make someone face the consequences or legal repercussions of their actions
2
to face the music
phrase
to accept and confront the punishment or consequence of one's wrongdoings or irresponsible actions
3
to have it coming
phrase
to be deserving of something that happens to one, particularly something that is unpleasant
4
to take the fall
phrase
to take the blame for another person's actions or accept full responsibility for a crime or wrongdoing that other people were also part of
5
hair shirt
noun
something extremely hard that one goes through, often as a punishment
6
up the river
phrase
in or to prison confinement
7
at Her / His Majesty's pleasure
phrase
used for saying someone is being held, detained, or imprisoned indefinitely at the will of the ruling British monarch
8
to sue the pants off (of) sb/sth
phrase
to take legal action against someone and demand so much money and damages from them that it leaves them with nothing
9
dead man walking
phrase
a prisoner who is sentenced to death and is about to be executed
10
to put sb to death
phrase
to officially punish someone by death
11
to bring / call sb to account
phrase
to formally confront someone and demand an explanation for their conduct and actions, especially those in positions of authority who are deemed responsible
12
one's head on a plate / platter
phrase
used to refer to a punishment that is very harsh for a crime or wrong deed
13
to rap sb on / over / across the knuckles
phrase
to give someone a mild punishment for a mistake or wrongdoing
14
the devil to pay
phrase
a situation where there will be severe consequences or difficulties as a result of certain actions or events
15
a price on one's head
phrase
a specific amount of money that is offered as a reward to anyone who captures or kills a particular person
16
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