cruel and unusual punishment

idiomPart ofpunishment

cruel and unusual punishment — idiom

1. A punishment that is extremely harsh and not allowed by law in the United States

1.idiom
Definition

A punishment that is extremely harsh and not allowed by law in the United States.

Example

The judge ruled that solitary confinement for 10 years was cruel and unusual punishment.

Maya argued that the school's new rule was a form of cruel and unusual punishment.