pillory
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pillory
A historical punishment device made of wood or iron to which a person was tied for public humiliation and punishment.
Im Mittelalter wurden Diebe oft an den Pranger gestellt.
In the Middle Ages, thieves were often put in the pillory.
The central idiom is 'jemanden an den Pranger stellen' (to put someone in the pillory/to publicly denounce someone). It can be used both literally in the historical sense and figuratively for public criticism.
Der Dieb wurde zur Strafe auf dem Marktplatz an den Pranger gestellt.
The thief was put in the pillory in the marketplace as punishment.
Today, the figurative meaning is used almost exclusively. You often find it in the media, in politics, and in public debates to denounce unethical or wrong behavior.
Die Organisation stellt die umweltschädlichen Praktiken großer Konzerne an den Pranger.
The organization publicly denounces the environmentally harmful practices of large corporations.
In the expression 'jemanden/etwas an den Pranger stellen' (to publicly denounce someone/something), the person or thing being criticized is always in the accusative.
Der Blogger stellte die schlechten Arbeitsbedingungen in der Firma an den Pranger.
The blogger publicly denounced the poor working conditions at the company.
tribunal
'Pranger' and 'Tribunal' can both be connected with public criticism and condemnation in a figurative sense. 'jemanden an den Pranger stellen' means to publicly expose and sharply criticize a person or their behavior. 'Tribunal' describes more of a situation in which several people act like a strict court and harshly judge someone. The words can be confused because both involve public accusation. 'Pranger' emphasizes exposure; 'Tribunal' emphasizes the kind of judgment, as if before a court.
Nach dem Fehler wurde der Mitarbeiter in den sozialen Medien an den Pranger gestellt.
After the mistake, the employee was publicly denounced on social media.
Die Teamsitzung fühlte sich für Lena wie ein Tribunal an.
The team meeting felt like a tribunal to Lena.