penalty box: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal to neutral, primarily used in sports journalism, commentary, and figurative business/political discourse.
Quick answer
What does “penalty box” mean?
The designated area where a player must remain for a specified time as a punishment for breaking the rules, primarily in ice hockey.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The designated area where a player must remain for a specified time as a punishment for breaking the rules, primarily in ice hockey.
By metaphorical extension, any situation of temporary exclusion, punishment, or a state of disadvantage resulting from a transgression or mistake.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, the term is understood primarily through its North American sports origin (ice hockey). The UK's native sport, football, uses 'penalty area' (for fouls leading to a penalty kick) and 'sin bin' (in rugby and some other sports) for temporary expulsion. In the US and Canada, 'penalty box' is the standard term in hockey and is readily used figuratively.
Connotations
In North America, it carries direct, familiar sports connotations. In the UK, it may sound slightly more like a borrowed, vivid metaphor, often used in business/politics to imply a temporary setback.
Frequency
High frequency in North American sports media; moderate frequency in figurative use in North American business/political writing. Lower frequency in UK literal contexts, but common in figurative use, especially in journalism.
Grammar
How to Use “penalty box” in a Sentence
[Player/Team] was sent to the penalty box for [infraction].[Person/Company] found itself in the penalty box after [mistake/controversy].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “penalty box” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The referee pointed decisively to the penalty box.
- Their star player has spent more time in the penalty box than on the pitch this season.
American English
- He was assessed a five-minute major and sent to the penalty box.
- The senator's comments put his bill in the legislative penalty box.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
The company's stock is in the penalty box with investors after the scandal.
Academic
The theory spent a decade in the academic penalty box before new evidence revived it.
Everyday
After forgetting our anniversary, I'm definitely in the penalty box at home.
Technical
The player received a double minor and served four consecutive minutes in the penalty box.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “penalty box”
- Using 'penalty area' interchangeably (specific to football/soccer). Saying 'penalty box' for the area where a penalty kick is taken in football.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, not correctly. In football, the area where a goalkeeper can handle the ball and where fouls lead to penalty kicks is the 'penalty area'. The term for temporary expulsion in some sports like rugby is 'sin bin'.
Yes, very commonly. It's a popular metaphor in business, politics, and everyday life to describe a state of temporary disfavour, punishment, or exclusion from normal activities.
They are synonyms for the same concept in sports. 'Penalty box' is standard in ice hockey. 'Sin bin' is common in rugby, rugby league, and field hockey. Figuratively, 'penalty box' is more common in American English, while 'sin bin' is more common in British English.
In ice hockey, standard penalties are two minutes. More serious infractions can lead to four, five, or ten-minute penalties, or a game misconduct.
The designated area where a player must remain for a specified time as a punishment for breaking the rules, primarily in ice hockey.
Penalty box is usually informal to neutral, primarily used in sports journalism, commentary, and figurative business/political discourse. in register.
Penalty box: in British English it is pronounced /ˈpen.əl.ti ˌbɒks/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈpen.əl.ti ˌbɑːks/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “In the penalty box (figurative): temporarily sidelined or at a disadvantage.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a box where you're 'penalized' for bad behaviour, like a naughty step for hockey players.
Conceptual Metaphor
MISTAKES ARE FOULS / SETBACKS ARE TEMPORARY EXCLUSIONS FROM PLAY.
Practice
Quiz
In which sport is 'penalty box' the official term for the area where players serve time penalties?