naughty step
noun/ˈnɔːti step/
/ˈnɔːti step/
[singular] (British English)- a quiet place, for example a step, where a child has to stay for a short period of time as a punishment for behaving badly
- He wouldn’t stop shouting so she made him sit on the naughty step until he had calmed down.
- (figurative) The MP is now on the naughty step for leaking confidential information to the press.
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naughty step