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Trip to the Woodshed

What Does "Trip to the Woodshed" Mean?

homeidiomsTrip to the Woodshed
"Trip to the woodshed" is an English idiom. It is an informal expression referring to a private or discreet meeting, often one in which someone is reprimanded, criticized, or given a stern talking-to.

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "trip to the woodshed" used in a sentence:
  • After his poor performance in the game, the coach took him for a trip to the woodshed to discuss his mistakes.
  • She had to take several employees to the woodshed for their unprofessional behavior during the company meeting.
  • The boss decided it was time for a trip to the woodshed to address the team's declining productivity.
meaning for trip to the woodshed

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Trip to the Woodshed" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

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