# penalty box

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/penalty-box
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

A temporary punishment, or, metaphorically, a similar setback (e.g., loss of control, embarrassment, etc.).

## Examples

- The player spent two minutes in the penalty box.
- After his outburst at the meeting, the manager put him in the penalty box for a week.
- Following the scandal, the politician found himself in the metaphorical penalty box, excluded from all major party decisions.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.