burning at the stake

• Исторический метод казни, при котором человека привязывают к деревянному столбу и сжигают заживо, обычно использовавшийся как наказание за ересь или колдовство. В современном употреблении может также метафорически означать подвергание суровой публичной критике или наказанию.

A historical method of execution where a person is tied to a wooden stake and burned alive, typically used as punishment for heresy or witchcraft. In modern usage, it can also refer metaphorically to being severely criticized or punished publicly.

1. Execution by fireC1formal

   A historical method of execution where a person is tied to a wooden stake and burned alive, often used for heresy or witchcraft.

   Сожжение на костре

   • Many accused witches were sentenced to burning at the stake.
   • The practice of burning at the stake was common in medieval Europe.
   • He was condemned to death by burning at the stake for his beliefs.

2. Severe criticism or punishmentC2informal

   Used metaphorically to describe being harshly criticized or punished publicly.

   Сожжение на костре

   • After the scandal, the politician was figuratively burned at the stake by the media.
   • The CEO was burned at the stake in the press for the company's failures.
   • He felt like he was being burned at the stake during the intense questioning.