on pain of

Idioms  

1. Also, under pain of. Subject to the penalty of a specific punishment. For example, The air traffic controllers knew that going on strike was on pain of losing their jobs. At one time this idiom often invoked death as the penalty, a usage that is largely hyperbolic today, as in We'd better be back on time, under pain of death. [Late 1300s]

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Example Sentences

One of those faces new to me belonged to Charles R., who I was advised by second period had “the cooties” and must therefore, on pain of social suicide, be shunned.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 10, 2026

But the state laws and the NLRB’s ruling make the same distinctions between meetings at which attendance is voluntary, and those that workers are required to attend on pain of discipline.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 9, 2025

Thailand's lese-majeste law forbids anyone from insulting the monarchy on pain of harsh jail sentences.

From BBC • Sep. 26, 2023

No more rules-evolving, geometrically impossible positioning of heads on tackles, on pain of penalty or disqualification or fine or suspension.

From Salon • Jan. 14, 2023

Although there was always generosity in the Negro neighborhood, it was indulged on pain of sacrifice.

From "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou