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.

---

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

---

Etymology

Origin of sin bin

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

Example Sentences

And when Billy Proctor was sent to the sin bin, Joaquin Oviedo's try reduced the deficit to seven points and raised hopes of a famous comeback win.

From BBC • Aug. 17, 2025

To add to the drama both number eights were sent to the sin bin, Georgia Evans for two yellow cards, while Evie Gallagher's offence was upgraded to a red card.

From BBC • Mar. 22, 2025

Munster, who failed to capitalise when Tommy O'Brien was sent to the sin bin in the first half, have not beaten Leinster in Limerick since 2019.

From BBC • Dec. 27, 2024

Munster responded with a period of pressure that saw their opposition reduced to 14 men but, to their frustration, would not find a try during the sin bin period.

From BBC • Dec. 27, 2024

The visitors reduced the deficit to five points and could smell an upset at a nervy Stadium de Toulouse before Jack Walker was sent to the sin bin for making direct head contact with Dupont.

From BBC • May 5, 2024