verb (colloquial).—To reprimand. Equivalents are to ‘call over the coals,’ to ‘give a wigging’ or ‘earwigging,’ etc. The phrase sometimes runs ‘TO WALK THE CARPET.’ So also CARPETING; for synonyms, see WIG.
1823. GALT, The Entail, III., xxix., 278. Making … her servants WALK THE CARPET. [M.]
1840. H. COCKTON, Valentine Vox, the Ventriloquist, xli. They had done nothing! Why were they CARPETED?
1871. Chester Chronicle, 11 Feb. ‘Report of Affiliation Case at Hawarden Petty Sessions.’ [The plaintiff, Louisa Jackson, said] neither did Lunt, the page, say that night if her master knew of her coming home in that state she would be CARPETED for it.
1877. HAWLEY SMART, Bound to Win, ch. xxx. There is no hurry; but, before the race, I think Mr. Luxmoore will have to CARPET Sam.
TO BRING ON THE CARPET. To bring up or forward. A slang rendering of mettre sur le tapis.
