naughty steps

Noun

naughty step (plural naughty steps)

1. (UK) A place, such as a particular step on a staircase or a stool, where a child is sent to sit in silence as a punishment.
   • She is still talking to them at length about bringing up children without naughty steps.2007, Lucy Cavendish, “Tuesday”, in The Invisible Woman, Rearsby, Leicester: W. F. Howes, →ISBN, page 375
2. (UK, figuratively) A state of disgrace, exclusion from a group, or punishment as a result of a misdemeanour.
   • When David Cameron moved into Downing Street he probably thought that he would only ever banish his children to the naughty step. But a member of the cabinet [Liam Fox] has been placed on the Downing Street naughty step after weeks of bad behaviour which has tested the prime minister's patience to...2010 July 13, Nicholas Watt, “Liam Fox is placed on the Downing Street naughty step after testing David Cameron’s patience”, in Alan Rusbridger, editor, The Guardian, London: Guardian News & Media...