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Society, Law & Politics - Punishment

Explore English idioms regarding punishment with examples like "face the music" and "have it coming".

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English idioms related to Society, Law & Politics
to [slap] {sb} on the wrist

to give someone a mild warning or punish them in a way that is not harsh

Ex: The judge slapped him on the wrist and let him go. 
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to [bring] {sb} to book

to make someone face the consequences or legal repercussions of their actions

Ex: The authorities finally brought the corrupt official to book. 
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to [face] the music

to accept and confront the punishment or consequence of one's wrongdoings or irresponsible actions

Ex: After lying to the committee, he had to face the music. 
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to [have] it coming

to be deserving of something that happens to one, particularly something that is unpleasant

Ex: After cheating so many people, he had it coming. 
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to [take] the fall

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

Ex: He took the fall for his teammate's mistake. 
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hair shirt

something extremely hard that one goes through, often as a punishment

Ex: He treated the unpaid work like a hair shirt after the scandal. 
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up the river
up the river
[phrase]

in or to prison confinement

Ex: If the police catch him again, he is going up the river. 
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at (Her|His) Majesty's pleasure

for an indefinite period set by the Crown, not a court

Ex: The teenager was detained at His Majesty's pleasure after the verdict. 
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to [sue] the pants off (of|) {sb/sth}

to take legal action against someone and demand so much money and damages from them that it leaves them with nothing

Ex: If they publish those lies, I'll sue the pants off them. 
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dead man walking

a prisoner who is sentenced to death and is about to be executed

Ex: The guards led the dead man walking down the corridor. 
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to [put] {sb} to death

to officially punish someone by death

Ex: The state put him to death after the final appeal was rejected. 
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to [bring|call] {sb} to account

to formally confront someone and demand an explanation for their conduct and actions, especially those in positions of authority who are deemed responsible

Ex: The minister was called to account for the failed project. 
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{one's} head on a (plate|platter)

used to refer to a punishment that is very harsh for a crime or wrong deed

Ex: After the scandal, the public demanded the minister's head on a platter. 
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to [rap] {sb} (on|over|across) the knuckles

to give someone a mild punishment for a mistake or wrongdoing

Ex: The teacher rapped him on the knuckles for copying his friend's homework. 
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the devil to pay

a situation where there will be severe consequences or difficulties as a result of certain actions or events

Ex: If the truth comes out, there will be the devil to pay. 
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a price on {one's} [head]

a specific amount of money that is offered as a reward to anyone who captures or kills a particular person

Ex: The gang leader had a price on his head after the prison break. 
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