IdiomDaily Life
English
Englishcall someone on the carpet
Meaning: To confront or hold someone responsible for some misdeed.
Example: “The accountant was called on the carpet for the missing funds.”
Origin: This phrase originates from the military, where it used to be that only senior officers had carpet in their offices. To be called on the carpet meant that a lower-ranking soldier was brought into the senior's office to be formally reprimanded for an offense.
More English idioms
- cast pearls before swine To offer something to someone who cannot appreciate it.
- catch someone red-handed To catch someone in the act of committing some offense.
- catch someone's fancy To appeal to someone.
- change horses in midstream To change plans or leaders in the middle of some action or event.
- lead a charmed life To be lucky or avoid danger.
- checkered past A personal history that includes both successes and failures, or ethical and unethical be…
Explore another collection: False Friends
Words that look familiar in another language but mean something else entirely.
- Simpatichny (Симпатичный) (Simpatichnyy) Actually means 'good-looking' or 'likeable'. For sympathetic, say сочувствующий (sochuvst…
- Aktualny (Актуальный) (Aktualnyy) Actually means 'topical' or 'currently relevant'. For actual (real), say настоящий (nasto…
- Artist (Артист) (Artist) Actually means 'performer' — an actor, singer or circus artiste. A painter is художник (k…
Keep exploring