on the carpet

phrase

: before an authority for censure or reproof
got called on the carpet by his boss

Examples of on the carpet in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Umbrellas were ubiquitous on the carpet, with stars and filmmakers doing their best to make the most of the downpour. — Gavin Blair, HollywoodReporter, 26 Oct. 2026 Wearing masks to conceal their identities, the individuals lay down on the carpet before being removed by security. — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 17 Oct. 2026 Ocean hues can be found on the carpet, while the ceiling is scattered with constellations. — Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Oct. 2026 Lisa Lisa rewrote natural, nude nail laws on the carpet, upgrading the plain technique with curved, talon tips. — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for on the carpet

Browse Nearby Words

on the button
on the carpet
on the cheap
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“On the carpet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/on%20the%20carpet. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of milieu

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
different halloween monsters in silhouette
A Monstrous Vocab Quiz Words That Go Bump in the Night
See All