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On/under pain of something

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Severity Highlight

Indicates a severe or serious consequence for not complying with a demand or rule.

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Access to this database is restricted, on pain of severe disciplinary action.
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Legal Usage

Often used in legal or formal contexts to stress compulsory obedience to laws or rules.

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The signed contract must be honored, under pain of legal fines.
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Cultural Weight

The phrase can carry historical gravity, especially when used in contexts relating to past authoritarian practices.

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The medieval decree was to be followed, under pain of death.
Visual representation of the word "On/under pain of something"

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