gunner’s daughter: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘gunner's daughter’ mean?
The idiom "gunner's daughter" refers to a naval punishment where sailors were made to bend over a cannon to receive a flogging. It symbolizes being subjected to a severe punishment or reprimand.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "shot across the bow" is used to describe a metaphorical warning or action taken to indicate hostility or a serious threat. It originates from naval warfare, where a shot fired across the bow of a ship would serve as a warning to change course or face the consequences.
The idiom "guns blazing" means to engage in a task or activity with great determination, energy, and enthusiasm.
The idiom "go to the scaffold" means to face danger, punishment, or a potentially fatal situation. It originates from the historical practice of executing prisoners by hanging them on a scaffold. It signifies being confronted with an unavoidable and often dire consequence.
The idiom "go down the wrong way" means to do or say something that is inappropriate, offensive or causes discomfort to others.
The idiom "go down in flames" means to suffer a significant and public failure or defeat. It is often used to describe a situation where all efforts or plans end in disaster or are unsuccessful.
The idiom "glutton for punishment" refers to a person who willingly and repeatedly subjects themselves to difficult or unpleasant situations, suggesting a lack of self-preservation or a masochistic tendency.
The idiom "give what for" means to scold or reprimand someone strongly or to give them a severe punishment or retribution. It conveys the idea of delivering a forceful response or a deserved consequence for someone's actions or behavior.
The idiom "give someone what-for" means to scold or punish someone severely for their actions or behavior. It implies giving someone a strong reprimand or retribution for their wrongdoings.
The idiom "give someone a bloody nose" means to physically or metaphorically harm or defeat someone, often resulting in humiliation or embarrassment to the person being targeted.
The idiom "give it the gun" means to apply maximum effort or speed to a task or activity.
Reshaping Naval Discipline
The idiom "gunner's daughter" is related to the phrase "shot across the bow". When ships were engaged in battle, it was common practice to fire a warning shot across the bow of an enemy vessel as a signal for them to stop or surrender. Similarly, when someone is given a stern reprimand or warning, it can be seen as a figurative "shot across the bow", a clear indication that there will be consequences if they continue their current behavior.
Another idiom related to "gunner's daughter" is "get what's coming to one". In the context of the idiom, the punishment inflicted on the sailor tied to the cannon can be seen as them "getting what's coming to them" for their offenses. Likewise, when someone is facing the consequences of their actions, whether it be a reprimand or some form of punishment, it can be said that they are "getting what's coming to them".
The idiom "gunner's daughter" is also connected to the phrase "fire in anger". In naval terms, "fire in anger" referred to firing a cannonball with the intention to damage or destroy an enemy ship. Similarly, when someone reacts in anger or frustration, their words or actions can be seen as a figurative "fire in anger", aimed to hurt or cause harm to those around them.
Furthermore, the idiom "gunner's daughter" can be linked to the expression "give it the gun". In the context of the idiom, the gunner is the one inflicting the punishment, representing their authority and power. When someone is said to "give it the gun", it means they are exerting a lot of effort or energy into something, much like the gunner would exert their strength in flogging the sailor tied to the cannon.
Finally, the idiom "gunner's daughter" shares a connection with the phrase "glutton for punishment". The sailor being punished in the idiom can be seen as a "glutton for punishment", as they have committed an offense and are willingly enduring the consequence of it. In a similar vein, when someone repeatedly puts themselves in situations where they are likely to face negative consequences, they can be described as a "glutton for punishment".
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom "gunner's daughter" can be used in a sentence are:
- He was so mischievous that his mother threatened to take him across her knee, invoking the "gunner's daughter."
- The sailor's misbehavior landed him in front of the captain, facing the "gunner's daughter" as punishment.
- As a last resort, the teacher threatened to bring out the "gunner's daughter" if the students didn't quiet down.
More "Punishment" idioms
