on pain of
With the threat of undergoing something extremely bad or unpleasant as a punishment. Often used in the phrase "on pain of death." The prisoners were forced to march on pain of death from the POW camp across the burning desert. On pain of having our pay docked, we were told we had to come in every Saturday until further notice to take care of the backlog of work.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
*(up)on someone
Fig. to be someone's obligation or responsibility. (*Typically: be ~; lie ~.) The obligation is upon you to settle this. The major part of the responsibility is on you.
*on someone or something
[incriminating or harmful information] about someone or something. (*Typically: get something ~; have something ~; give someone something~.) I've gotten something on Albert that would really shock you. She is trying to get something on her husband so she can divorce him.
on something
1. taking a medication. I am on an antibiotic for my chest cold. I want you to be on this drug for another week.
2. taking an illegal drug or controlled substance and acting strangely. What is the matter with that kid? Is he on something? She acted as if she were on barbiturates or something.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
on pain of
Also, under pain of. Subject to the penalty of a specific punishment. For example, The air traffic controllers knew that going on strike was on pain of losing their jobs . At one time this idiom often invoked death as the penalty, a usage that is largely hyperbolic today, as in We'd better be back on time, under pain of death. [Late 1300s]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
on/under pain of something
(formal) with the threat of having something done to you as a punishment if you do not obey a command: They were forbidden on pain of death to talk to any of the other prisoners. ♢ We were told to pay within three days, on pain of a €1 000 fine if we didn’t.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
on
/at the dot Exactly at the appointed time; punctual or punctually: arrived at nine o'clock on the dot.
on
/at the double1. Immediately.
2. In double time.
on
/in behalf of1. As the agent of; on the part of.
2. For the benefit of; in the interest of.
on
/in the street1. Without a job; idle.
2. Without a home; homeless.
3. Out of prison; at liberty.
on
/into/down the wind Nautical In the same or nearly the same direction as the wind.
on
/under pain of Subject to the penalty of (a specified punishment, such as death).
on
/upon (one's) hands In one's possession, often as an imposed responsibility or burden: Now they have the grandchildren on their hands.
on
/upon request When asked for: References are available on request.
on
/upon the heels of1. Directly behind.
2. Immediately following.
on
(one's)/the way In the process of coming, going, or traveling: She is on her way out the door. Winter is on the way.
on
its/someone's ear In a state of amazement, excitement, or uproar: a controversial movie that set the film industry on its ear.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.