Skip to definition.
Get the FREE one-click dictionary software for Windows or the iPhone/iPad and Android apps


Verb: call on the carpet
Usage: US, informal
  1. Censure severely or angrily
    - take to task, rebuke, rag [informal], trounce, lecture, reprimand, jaw [informal], dress down [informal], call down [informal], scold, chide, berate, bawl out [informal], remonstrate, chew out [N. Amer, informal], chew up [N. Amer, informal], have words, lambaste, lambast, ream [N. Amer, informal], wig [Brit, informal]

Derived forms: calls on the carpet, calling on the carpet, called on the carpet

Type of: criticise [Brit], criticize, damn [informal], knock [informal], pick apart