special measures

special measures

1. A designation given to a public establishment, such as a school or hospital, that is in need of improvement. Often used in the phrase "in special measures." Primarily heard in UK. My son's school is currently in special measures, so he's transferring to a different one next year.
2. Steps that must be taken, however unusual or extreme, to bring about some outcome. Oh, I will take special measures to ensure that the neighbors' dog stops barking, even if I have to buy him a muzzle myself! Don't worry, we took special measures to make sure that nobody finds us in here—we have furniture blocking all the doors.
See also: measure, special
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • how about
  • how/what about...?
  • (one's) best foot forward
  • best foot forward
  • eggs is eggs
  • How long is a piece of string?
  • from my cold, dead hands
  • kicking and screaming
  • beck and call
  • (as) sure as eggs (is eggs)
References in classic literature
Well, that man had confessed to him that when he was engaged in political controversy, not on a matter of principle but on some special measure in debate, he felt ready to kill everybody.
He has been in the Government Team responsible for managing Betsi in Special Measures. January 2019 he gave evidence to Betsi Special Measures Review at the Senedd Public Accounts Committee.
The trust that runs Shropshire's major hospitals is on track in its mission to get out of special measures, its new interim chief executive has said.
A CARE home has been placed in special measures for the second time in two years.
In 263 words, the Welsh Government's health minister announced that Betsi Cadwaladr "should be placed in special measures" due to "serious and outstanding concerns...
Placing a health board is special measures is the most severe option open to the government when a health board is not making the improvements expected and there are concerns that the leadership and management require external support to respond to the serious concerns identified.
THE North Wales schools in "special measures" have been revealed by education watchdog Estyn.
In this article, the author explains the concept of temporary special measures to achieve this goal.
Ex-Umno leader Datuk Seri Khairuddin Abu Hassan is suing the government and seven others over his detention under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 back in 2015.
The school wasplaced in special measures in December 2016when an Ofsted inspection gave it a rating of "inadequate".
He said that the government was taking special measures to support deprived people as the announcement of Macro and Micro finance loans would help counter challenges of unemployment in the country.
WALSALL Manor Hospital is to be placed into special measures after the health watchdog found "serious problems" with its patient care.
INSPECTORS have accused a Northumberland primary school of "inexcusably poor" teaching almost two years after it was placed in special measures.
While hospitals put into special measures have shown "significant improvements" more must be done to address these issues, Professor Sir Mike Richards added.