Tar and feather somebody
verb
To punish someone publicly and severely, often in a humiliating way, especially for a crime or wrongdoing that has caused anger or outrage in society.
In the old days, they would tar and feather somebody for theft.
Often appears as...
- tar and feather a thief
- tar and feather a criminal
Usage tips
Disapproving
Idiomatic
verb
To criticize someone strongly or attack someone verbally, typically in a public context.
The public was quick to tar and feather the politician after his scandalous affair was exposed.
Often appears as...
- tar and feather a politician
- tar and feather a celebrity
Usage tips
Disapproving
Idiomatic
verb
To punish someone publicly and severely, often in a humiliating way, especially for a crime or wrongdoing that has caused anger or outrage in society.
In the old days, they would tar and feather somebody for theft.
Often appears as...
- tar and feather a thief
- tar and feather a criminal
Usage tips
Disapproving
Idiomatic
verb
To criticize someone strongly or attack someone verbally, typically in a public context.
The public was quick to tar and feather the politician after his scandalous affair was exposed.
Often appears as...
- tar and feather a politician
- tar and feather a celebrity
Usage tips
Disapproving
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Historical Origin
Understand the literal history of tarring and feathering to grasp the magnitude of the metaphor.
Mentioning they'd tar and feather somebody in historical fiction evokes a brutal image.
Pro Tip 2/3Severity
Recognize that using this phrase suggests extreme disapproval or punishment.
By saying they'd tar and feather somebody, he indicated how unacceptable the act was.
Pro Tip 3/3Social Anger
The phrase implies punishment is demanded by the wider community, not just an individual.
After the scandal, the community acted like they wanted to tar and feather the official.
Pro Tip 1/3Historical Origin
Understand the literal history of tarring and feathering to grasp the magnitude of the metaphor.
Mentioning they'd tar and feather somebody in historical fiction evokes a brutal image.
Pro Tip 2/3Severity
Recognize that using this phrase suggests extreme disapproval or punishment.
By saying they'd tar and feather somebody, he indicated how unacceptable the act was.
Pro Tip 3/3Social Anger
The phrase implies punishment is demanded by the wider community, not just an individual.
After the scandal, the community acted like they wanted to tar and feather the official.
Pro Tip 1/3Historical Origin
Understand the literal history of tarring and feathering to grasp the magnitude of the metaphor.
Mentioning they'd tar and feather somebody in historical fiction evokes a brutal image.
Pro Tip 2/3Severity
Recognize that using this phrase suggests extreme disapproval or punishment.
By saying they'd tar and feather somebody, he indicated how unacceptable the act was.
Pro Tip 3/3Social Anger
The phrase implies punishment is demanded by the wider community, not just an individual.
After the scandal, the community acted like they wanted to tar and feather the official.
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