Tar-and-feather (Verb)
Meaning
Smear the body of (someone) with tar and feathers; done in some societies as punishment; "The thief was tarred and feathered".
Classification
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging.
Examples
- The town's people tar-and-feathered the corrupt official as a form of public humiliation and punishment.
- In the 18th century, thieves and burglars would often be tar-and-feathered by the community as a warning to others.
- The infamous pirate was tar-and-feathered by the colonists before being banished from the island.
- As a form of mob justice, the alleged arsonist was tar-and-feathered by an angry crowd.
- The shamed politician was figuratively tar-and-feathered by the media, although he avoided actual physical punishment.