trip to the woodshed
An occasion on which a reprimand or punishment is administered privately.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“The boss called him in for a trip to the woodshed.”
“After the manager discovered the accounting error, he invited the accountant for a trip to the woodshed to discuss the mistake.”
“The senator knew that his controversial vote would inevitably result in a trip to the woodshed with the party leadership.”
disputed origin
Probably derived from the previous term "horseshedding," meaning to take a person privately (such as to a horse shed or woodshed, separate buildings away from the house) for private cajoling or reprimand.
- 01
bad trip
An acute adverse psychological reaction to the effects produced under the influence of psychoactive substances, namely hallucinogens.
- 02
guilt trip
A feeling of shame or embarrassment, especially if self-indulgent, unwarranted, exaggerated or felt over a significant period of time.
- 03
trip out
To have as an image in one's mind.
Last updated August 10, 2026