six of the best

six of the best

Physical punishment of a child for bad behavior, traditionally six strikes from a paddle or cane. When I was growing up, teachers wouldn't hesitate to give you six of the best for mouthing off in class. These days, most teachers are afraid to even raise their voices at their pupils.
See also: of, six
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

six of the best

a caning as a punishment, traditionally with six strokes of the cane.
Six of the best was formerly a common punishment in boys' schools, but it is now chiefly historical in its literal sense and tends to be used figuratively or humorously.
See also: of, six
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • swack
  • swacked
  • on report
  • get off with (something)
  • carrot
  • carrot and stick
  • carrot-and-stick
  • give (oneself) over to (someone or something)
  • give oneself over to
  • rap over the knuckles
References in classic literature
The doctors say that it is all up with the old dear unless some food is got into him, but as he lies in bed with a revolver on his coverlet, and swears he will put six of the best through anyone that comes near him, there's been a bit of a strike among the serving-men.
The Lost World
If the Leicester striker had done it when he was at Fleetwood he'd have had six of the best left on him from a non-league defender.
Dive was Vard to take; STAN COLLYMORE @StanCollymore
INGLES hit six of the best in an impressive victory at Graham St Prims in the East Midlands Counties League on Saturday.
Wins for Ingles and Barrow
SQUIRES GATE 1 RUNCORNT 6 DIVISION pacestters Runcorn hit their Lancashire hosts for six of the best to maintain their excellent form.
Cairns makes it 32 in Runcorn rout; HALLMARK SECURITY PREMIER
For this "disloyalty" I was given six of the best. When my ordeal was over I told the master that I would never stand for, or sing, that anthem again.
God Save The Queen is not my anthem; Views of Wales
COLNE VALLEY High School has delivered six of the best.
Six of the best
PATRICK BAMFORD made it six of the best as the Dons piled on the misery for County.
MK DONS 3 NOTTS COUNTY 1; IN ASSOCIATION WITH
THIS free event, run by Songs of Praise, showcases six of the best amateur choirs in the UK as they battle it out to be named the best.
PICK OF THE SHOWS; BBC GOSPEL CHOIR OF THE YEAR
VOLVO is heralding six of the best with a wave of models boasting revised style, extra equipment and reduced CO2 emissions.
Volvo heralds six of the best
Six of the best with the cane was routine and it did not do any of us any harm, quite the reverse, it taught us respect.
Caning taught us respect
11Tricks of the trade Couple share their life in double-decker bus and six of the best kids'tablets.
contents
SIX OF THE BEST: Kenilworth Golf Club's sextet who won Best Visiting Team at Broadstsone.
Team effort lands top prize
10 Minute Solution: Best Belly Blasters provides an outstanding collection of ten-minute exercises focusing on belly blaster ab toning, featuring six of the best workouts in one DVD.
10 Minute Solution: Best Belly Blasters
Sunnybank Five-bedroom home set in two acres of Lapworth countryside Pages 4-5 Malt Kiln Farm Delightful Shropshire farm where award-winning sheep have forced the sale Pages 6-7 Let's move to Southam Reasons to move this sought-after area plus six of the best properties in the area Pages 12-13 Property news A round-up of launches and news from around the region Pages 22-23 Property Expert Getting the right advice on buying your rural dream Page 26 POST PROPERTY correspondents are Alison Jones and Annie Roberts Email: PostSupplements@mrn.co.uk Edited and designed by Magazines and Supplements Dept, The Birmingham Post.
CONTENTS