woodshed

plural woodsheds

1. An enclosed, roofed structure, often an outbuilding, used primarily to store firewood.
2. informalA place where punishments or reprimands are administered.

   Were you ever taken to the woodshed? Did anyone say, “Stop disagreeing with the president”?

   2021 January 24, Donald G. McNeil Jr, “Fauci on What Working for Trump Was Really Like”, in The New York Times, →ISSN

   1 more example

   The State Department is incensed, and if this conference fails it will be the woodshed for three Central American presidents.

   1907 November 11, “Latin President’s Plot May Disarrange the Central American Peace Plans”, in New York Times

present singular third person woodsheds · participle present woodshedding · participle past woodshedded · past woodshedded

1. slangentertainmentTo practice or rehearse using a musical instrument.

   Recently, I have taken up the double bass again, but because time and neglect erode ability, calluses turn soft, and muscle memory fades, I need to woodshed (practice) to get back into shape and build up my chops.

   1999 June, Al Stevens, “Jukebox: Covering the Basses”, in Dr. Dobb's Journal, volume 24, number 6, San Francisco, Calif.: Miller Freeman, Inc., →ISSN, page 115

2. slangbroadcastingTo practice or rehearse a script.

   In previous chapters, I've covered many ways to woodshed a script and dozens of techniques for bringing the words to life. Now, I'm going to suggest something completely different: Try performing your script completely cold the first time through.

   2023, James R. Alburger, The Art of Voice Acting

3. To self-isolate in order to work on one's artistic development or to produce work without interruptions.

   His latest novel sheds light on an émigré writer’s woodshedding period.

   2007 July 23, “A Free Life”, in Publishers Weekly