run\ the\ gantlet

run\ the\ gantlet
• run the ga(u)ntlet
v. phr.
1. To be made to run between two lines of people facing each other and be hit by them with clubs or other weapons.

Joe had to run the gauntlet as part of his initiation into the club.

2. To face a hard test; bear a painful experience.

Ginny had to run the gauntlet of her mother's questions about how the ink spot got on the dining room rug.


Словарь американских идиом. — СПб., Изд-во "Лань". . 1997.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • run the gantlet — See at: run the gauntlet Etymology: based on the Swedish word gantlopp (= a running down a path) used to describe a punishment in the Swedish army in which a soldier had to run between two rows of men who hit him as he ran …   New idioms dictionary

  • To run the gantlet — Gantlet Gant let, n. [Gantlet is corrupted fr. gantlope; gantlope is for gatelope, Sw. gatlopp, orig., a running down a lane; gata street, lane + lopp course, career, akin to l[ o]pa to run. See {Gate} a way, and {Leap}.] A military punishment… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • RUN THE — (Roget s 3 Superthesaurus) v[GONT lit] an outmoded form of punishment in which a soldier was forced to run between two lines ofmen, who would hit him withclubs, knotted ropes, etc., as he passed. In modern use, any multidirectional ordeal,… …   English dictionary for students

  • run the gauntlet — also[gantlet] {v. phr.} 1. To be made to run between two lines of people facing each other and be hit by them with clubs or other weapons. * /Joe had to run the gauntlet as part of his initiation into the club./ 2. To face a hard test; bear a… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • run the gauntlet — also[gantlet] {v. phr.} 1. To be made to run between two lines of people facing each other and be hit by them with clubs or other weapons. * /Joe had to run the gauntlet as part of his initiation into the club./ 2. To face a hard test; bear a… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • run the gauntlet — 1. to experience severe criticism or great difficulties. Every idea that is presented must run the gauntlet of the Review Committee, and such reviews are never pleasant. 2. to have to move by a line or group people trying to get your attention.… …   New idioms dictionary

  • Gantlet — Gant let, n. [Gantlet is corrupted fr. gantlope; gantlope is for gatelope, Sw. gatlopp, orig., a running down a lane; gata street, lane + lopp course, career, akin to l[ o]pa to run. See {Gate} a way, and {Leap}.] A military punishment formerly… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • gantlet — gantlet1 [gônt′lit, gänt′lit, gant′lit] n. [earlier gantlope < Swed gatlopp, a running down a lane < gata, lane (akin to Ger gasse: see GAIT) + lopp, a run, akin to LEAP] 1. a) a former military punishment in which the offender had to run… …   English World dictionary

  • gantlet, gauntlet —    Traditionally in American English, a distinction has been observed between the two. A gantlet was a double line of people armed with blunt weapons through which a thief or other miscreant was forced to run as a form of punishment. Hence the… …   Dictionary of troublesome word

  • gantlet, gauntlet —    Traditionally in American English, a distinction has been observed between the two. A gantlet was a double line of people armed with blunt weapons through which a thief or other miscreant was forced to run as a form of punishment. Hence the… …   Dictionary of troublesome word

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