Phrase: I'm going to take you out to the woodshed

[English Native]

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #686 "English Slang Idioms (428)", question 5

"If you talk back to me one more time, I'm going to take you out to the .........," Bill threatened his son.

(a) barnyard
(b) woodshed
(c) outhouse
(d) pigpen

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #686 "English Slang Idioms (428)", answer 5

"If you talk back to me one more time, I'm going to take you out to the woodshed," Bill threatened his son.

Correct answer: (b) woodshed
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Terrible question. I am a native Englishman (and an Oxford graduate) and haven't a clue which of these is right.

English Native

[Kitosdad]

You never are.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Means that his Father was going to give him a thrashing for being so damned cheeky.
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Keep it simple ... Keep it interesting.

[Skrej]

For some reason, the woodshed is associated with both punishments, and musical practice.

I'm not sure why the woodshed would be any more preferred over any other external building for punishment or musical practice.

Perhaps musical practice would disturb livestock in a barn, and a woodshed might be a ready source of branches for whipping? Perhaps a woodshed is more isolated than a barn.

The stacked wood would also serve as a damper for the sound vibrations, so the sounds of beatings and musical notes wouldn't carry as far.

These are just silly theories on my part. I'm not sure of the actual etymology of these phrases.
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Plan to be spontaneous tomorrow.
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