put (one) through the wringer

put (one) through the wringer

To subject one to some ordeal, difficulty, trial, or punishment; to force one to undergo an unpleasant experience. My mother's recent bout with cancer has really put us through the wringer this year.
See also: put, through, wringer
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

put someone through the wringer

Fig. to give someone a difficult time; to interrogate someone thoroughly. (Alludes to putting something through an old-fashioned clothes wringer.) The lawyer really put the witness through the wringer! The teacher put the students through the wringer.
See also: put, through, wringer
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

put someone through the wringer (or the mangle)

subject someone to a very stressful experience, especially a severe interrogation. informal
1984 Louise Erdrich Love Medicine I saw that he had gone through the wringer. He was red-eyed, gaunt, and he was drunk.
See also: put, someone, through, wringer
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

put (someone) through the wringer

Slang
To subject to a severe trial or ordeal.
See also: put, through, wringer
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
See also:
  • get a taste of (one's) own medicine
  • drive (one) out of office
  • force (one) out of office
  • force out of office
  • give (one) (one's) head
  • give head
  • give somebody their head
  • give someone their head
  • a dose of (one's) own medicine
  • dose