spare the rod
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The eccentric executive cast his criticism as friendly, invoking the French proverb "qui aime bien chatie bien" -- spare the rod, spoil the child.
From Barron's ● Sep. 2, 2026
No man is a hero to his valet, the saying goes, and Gates does not spare the rod.
From New York Times ● Jun. 17, 2020
When in Rome, spare the rod and spoil the whole barrel.
From The New Yorker ● Sep. 2, 2019
Reviewing the history of U. S. efforts at internationalism, Historian Beard does not spare the rod.
From Time Magazine Archive
Little Blue-Star attended school unhindered by a fond mother's fears that a foreign teacher might not spare the rod with her darling.
From American Indian stories by Zitkala-Sa
