call on the carpet

1. Summon for a scolding or rebuke, as in Suspecting a leak to the press, the governor called his press secretary on the carpet. This term began as on the carpet, which in the early 1700s referred to a cloth (carpet) covering a conference table and therefore came to mean “under consideration or discussion.” In 19th-century America, however, carpet meant “floor covering,” and the expression, first recorded in 1902, alluded to being called before or reprimanded by a person rich or powerful enough to have a carpet.

Example Sentences

But, I don’t think that’s what he means, I think he got called on the carpet and I think he got really nervous.

From Salon

"Any other defendant might well be called on the carpet for this posting alone."

From Salon

“He’s got no history of suspension or being called on the carpet by the league,” Cassidy said.

From Seattle Times

We’ve been working on it since that day we got called on the carpet.

From Washington Post

And so last week, he was called on the carpet by lawmakers who suspected he might be helping an unpopular American president undermine a popular American institution to secure reelection.

From Washington Post

Related Words

• advise 
• berate 
• censure 
• chide 
• enjoin 
• exhort 
• rebuke 
• reprimand 
• scold 
• upbraid 
• warn