on the carpet

alternative upon the carpet

1. Under consideration; subject to discussion or deliberation.

   That same evening the treaty of marriage was brought upon the carpet, and by means of Mr. Pickle and the lieutenant settled to the satisfaction of all parties, without the intervention of lawyers […].

   1751, [Tobias] Smollett, chapter 7, in The Adventures of Peregrine Pickle […], volume I, London: Harrison and Co., […], →OCLC

   1 more example

   Nor is this tribute to the reclaimed animals in question so wide a digression into the realms of Natural History as it may, at first sight, appear to be; for the present business of these pages in with the dragon who had his retreat in Mr Pecksniff’s neighbourhood, and that courteous animal being already on the carpet, there is nothing in the way of its immediate transaction.

   1842 December – 1844 July, Charles Dickens, The Life and Adventures of Martin Chuzzlewit, London: Chapman and Hall, […], published 1844, →OCLC

2. Being reprimanded or carpeted.

   Whenever a policeman made a mistake he was either brought on the carpet before the Mayor or rebuked by the Magistrate.

   1915 January 4, “Ellison Must Go, Police Now Think”, in New York Times, retrieved 12 Sep 2008, page 18

   2 more examples

   But long, long ago an enthusiastic reporter called it a "fairy palace," and the office building on the west side was once a church. Hence, in North British phraseology, to "gang tae the Kirk" meant to be had up on the carpet.

   1941 January, C. Hamilton Ellis, “The Scottish Station”, in Railway Magazine, page 3

   Policewoman Mitchell was on the carpet only three weeks ago for appearing as a character witness for three burglary suspects.

   1950 March 28, “Policewoman Suspended Over Delay”, in Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, retrieved 12 Sep 2008, page 1