quarter (redirected from quartering)

*drawn and quartered

Fig. to be dealt with very severely. (Now fig. except in historical accounts; refers to a former practice of torturing someone guilty of treason, usually a male, by disembowling and dividing the body into four parts. *Typically: be ~; have someone ~. Fixed order.) Todd was practically drawn and quartered for losing the Wilson contract. You were much too harsh with Jean. No matter what she did, she didn't need to be drawn and quartered for it!

See also: and, drawn

grant someone no quarter and give someone no quarter

Fig. not to allow someone any mercy or indulgence. (Originally meant to refuse to imprison and simply to kill one's prisoner.) The professor was harsh on lazy students. During class, he granted them no quarter.

See also: grant

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in close quarters (slightly formal) also at close quarters

in a small area together with others Living in close quarters, college students frequently catch colds from each other.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of quarters (a place to live or stay)

See also: close