sin bin

American  

[sin bin] / ˈsɪn ˌbɪn /

noun

Slang.

1. Ice Hockey. penalty box.

2. British. an isolated room or facility where offenders, as misbehaving students or disruptive prisoners, are placed for a period of detention or rehabilitation: four inmates doing time in the sin bin for physical violence.

   secondary-school cyberbullies sent to the sin bin;

   four inmates doing time in the sin bin for physical violence.

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sin bin British  

noun

1. slang (in ice hockey, rugby, etc) an area off the field of play where a player who has committed a foul can be sent to sit for a specified period

2. informal a special unit on a separate site from a school that disruptive schoolchildren attend until they can be reintegrated into their normal classes

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Etymology

Origin of sin bin

First recorded in 1950–55 sin bin for def. 1; 1980–85 sin bin for def. 2

Example Sentences

More and more EU countries are being thrown in the public spending sin bin over their mushrooming deficits, with Bulgaria expected to be added Wednesday.

From Barron's • Jun. 3, 2026

As the hour-mark approached, France were still struggling to find their way into the game but were boosted when Ireland replacement Grace Moore was sent to the sin bin for a high tackle.

From BBC • Sep. 14, 2025

"I have no doubt Scotland will get a red hat in the future, we're just in the sin bin at the moment."

From BBC • May 7, 2025

The wing has been sent to the sin bin and will be reviewed by the television match officials to see if it will be more.

From BBC • Apr. 19, 2024

But the passage of play that saw Holly Aitchison sent to the sin bin, followed by Tuttosi's score from the resulting penalty and line-out, proved a turning point.

From BBC • Oct. 27, 2023