rod

An automobile that has been specially refitted, redesigned, or altered in some way so as to achieve very high speeds and acceleration. I've spent nearly two years turning this old worn-out Mustang into one heck of a hot rod.

To accept punishment passively. As a child, I always found it best to just kiss the rod—arguing with my parents always made the situation worse.

Something or someone that becomes the focus of others' criticism or blame. Primarily heard in US. The CEO became a lightning rod for criticism when his company laid off a third of its employees.

A measure of land equal to roughly 25 square miles. I need a measurement of the available land in square rods, please.

Prov. You should punish a child when he or she misbehaves, because if you do not, the child will grow up expecting everyone to indulge him or her. Jane: How can you allow your little boy to be so rude? Ellen: It distresses me to punish him. Jane: lean understand that, but spare the rod and spoil the child.

someone or something that takes all the blame for a situation, although other people or things are responsible too (often + for ) In a harsh economic climate, raises for teachers have become a lightning rod for criticism.

to do something that is likely to cause problems for you in the future People say that if you let your baby sleep in your bed with you for the first few months, you're just making a rod for your own back.

to control a group of people very firmly, having complete power over everything that they do For 17 years she ruled the country with a rod of iron. My uncle rules the family business with an iron hand.

An automobile modified to increase its speed and acceleration, as in Kids love to tinker with cars and try to convert them into hot rods. [Mid-1900s] Also see hopped up.

Discipline is necessary for good upbringing, as in She lets Richard get away with anything-spare the rod, you know. This adage appears in the Bible (Proverbs 13:24) and made its way into practically every proverb collection. It originally referred to corporal punishment. It is still quoted, often in shortened form, and today does not necessarily mean physical discipline.