take someone to the woodshed
take (one) to the woodshed
To punish, reprimand, or reprove someone, especially discreetly, secretly, or in private. Many suspect that the president took the former aide to the woodshed over his inflammatory remarks to the press.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
take someone to the woodshed
reprove or punish someone, especially discreetly. US informal, datedThis expression referred to the former practice of taking a naughty child to a woodshed to be punished, out of sight of other people.
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017