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.

See also: take, woodshed

take someone to the woodshed

reprove or punish someone, especially discreetly. US informal, dated

This expression referred to the former practice of taking a naughty child to a woodshed to be punished, out of sight of other people.

See also: someone, take, woodshed