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.
to publicly denounce
To publicly criticize, expose, and condemn a person or their actions.
Mit seinem Artikel stellte der Journalist die Korruption im Rathaus an den Pranger.
With his article, the journalist publicly denounced the corruption at city hall.
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.
