Question

in_the_loop_709 to spank a child’s bottom as punishment The expression originates from the practice of tanning (preparing) animal hides (skins) for use as clothing or shoes by hitting them with a tanning instrument. Hide is also a slang word used to refer to a person’s skin. The alternative britches (pants) refers to the fact that a person gets spanked on his bottom. The expression is usually used to describe how parents might punish their children.

Accepted Answer

TAN (SOMEONE’S) HIDE/BRITCHES Ricky didn’t come home on time from his friend’s house. When he got home, his mother tanned his hide.That child is disrespectful and uncontrollable. What he really needs is for one of his parents to tan his britches.

Id	in_the_loop_709
Idiom	TAN (SOMEONE’S) HIDE/BRITCHES
Definition	to spank a child’s bottom as punishment
Examples	Ricky didn’t come home on time from his friend’s house. When he got home, his mother tanned his hide. That child is disrespectful and uncontrollable. What he really needs is for one of his parents to tan his britches.
Extra Info	The expression originates from the practice of tanning (preparing) animal hides (skins) for use as clothing or shoes by hitting them with a tanning instrument. Hide is also a slang word used to refer to a person’s skin. The alternative britches (pants) refers to the fact that a person gets spanked on his bottom. The expression is usually used to describe how parents might punish their children.

Tan Hide Parents Britches Expression Tanning Loop Someone’s