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To be punished harshly
- ride on a rail To be punished harshly, often publicly, and perhaps culminating in exile. The phrase originally referred to a punishment in which a wrongdoer was paraded around town on a rail and then exiled.
idioms.thefreedictionary.com/riding on a rail
The idiom “ride on a rail” has been used for centuries to describe a form of public punishment in which an individual is tied to a wooden plank and carried through town on the shoulders of several men. This practice was common in medieval Europe, particularly in England and France, as a way to shame and humiliate wrongdoers.
May 28, 2003 · Tarring and feathering was a cruel punishment where hot pine tar was applied from head to toe on a person and goose feathers were stuck into the tar. The person was then ignited and ridden out of town on a rail (tied to a splintery rail), beaten with sticks and stoned all the while.
'Ride on a rail' is an English idiom. It means 'to subject someone to public humiliation or ridicule, often by carrying them on a rail or similar means as a form of punishment.'
ride on a rail To be punished harshly, often publicly, and perhaps culminating in exile. The phrase originally referred to a punishment in which a wrongdoer was paraded around town on a rail and then exiled.
ride on a rail To be punished harshly, often publicly, and perhaps culminating in exile. The phrase originally referred to a punishment in which a wrongdoer was paraded around town on a rail and then exiled.
Aug 29, 2024 · The ‘Ride On A Rail’ idiom is used to describe a situation where someone is facing severe criticism or being treated harshly. It implies that the person is being subjected to relentless scrutiny or condemnation, much like being forcefully pushed along a fixed path, unable to deviate.
ride on a rail in American English. US. to place on a rail and carry out of the community: extralegal punishment in which the victim was usually tarred and feathered beforehand. See full dictionary entry for rail.
