# rod in pickle

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/rod-in-pickle
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

A particular punishment or penalty prepared ready to be applied in the future.

## Examples

- The teacher kept a rod in pickle for the noisy students.
- The manager warned the team that he had a rod in pickle for anyone who missed the deadline again.
- Aware that the king held a rod in pickle for any sign of dissent, the advisors chose their words with extreme caution.

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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.