English

Prepositional phrase

on the carpet

1. Being reprimanded or carpeted.
   • 1915, "Ellison Must Go, Police Now Think," New York Times, 4 Jan., p. 18 (retrieved 12 Sep. 2008),

     Whenever a policeman made a mistake he was either brought on the carpet before the Mayor or rebuked by the Magistrate.

   • 1950, "Policewoman Suspended Over Delay," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 28 Mar., p. 1 (retrieved 12 Sep. 2008),

     Policewoman Mitchell was on the carpet only three weeks ago for appearing as a character witness for three burglary suspects.

2. Under consideration; being the subject of deliberation.

Related terms

• call on the carpet