wringer (redirected from putting through the mangle)

put someone through the wringer

Fig. to give someone a difficult time; to interrogate someone thoroughly. (Alludes to putting something through an old-fashioned clothes wringer.) The lawyer really put the witness through the wringer! The teacher put the students through the wringer.

See also: put, through

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put somebody through the wringer

to make someone have a very difficult or unpleasant experience

Usage notes: In the past, a wringer was a machine used for pressing water out of clothes.

They really put me through the wringer in my interview.

See also: put, through

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through the wringer

experiencing something very difficult or unpleasant Our tech people have been putting the new servers through the wringer. Mr. Gold went through the wringer to get immigration papers for his parents.

Usage notes: usually used with put or go, as in the examples

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of wringer (a device that presses water from clothing that has been washed)

See also: through