on the carpet

on the carpet

1. In a position to be facing reprimand. When my team lost that big client, the boss called me on the carpet.
2. Under discussion or consideration. We don't have time to discuss those issues, but don't worry, they'll be on the carpet the next time we meet.
See also: carpet, on
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

on the carpet

BRITISH
If someone is on the carpet, they are in trouble for doing something wrong. The 22-year-old bad boy of English cricket was on the carpet again this week for arguing with the umpire. Note: You can also call someone on the carpet. In my hospital, if I allowed a nurse to work alongside me without wearing gloves, I'd be called on the carpet immediately for not protecting our staff. Note: This expression may refer to a piece of carpet in front of a desk where someone stands while being reprimanded. Alternatively, it could refer to an employer calling a servant into one of the best rooms in the house, which would have a carpet, in order to reprimand them.
See also: carpet, on
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

on the carpet

1 (of a topic or problem) under discussion. 2 (of a person) being severely reprimanded by someone in authority. informal
Carpet in both these senses originally meant ‘table covering’, and referred to ‘the carpet of the council table’, a table around which a problem was debated (as in sense 1) or before which a person would be summoned for reprimand (as in sense 2). The informal use of carpet as a verb meaning ‘reprove’ dates from mid 19th century.
See also: carpet, on
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

on the carpet

1. In a position of being reprimanded by one in authority: was called on the carpet for cheating.
2. Under discussion or consideration: Important matters will be on the carpet at today's meeting.
See also: carpet, on
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
See also:
  • call (one) on the carpet
  • call on the carpet
  • haul (one) on the carpet
  • be under a microscope
  • be under the microscope
  • let (one) have it
  • let have it
  • let me have it
  • Let me have it!
  • lashing