The phrase "put someone the griddle" means to subject someone to intense scrutiny or questioning. The spelling of "griddle" is IPA: /ˈɡrɪd(ə)l/ and is spelled as such because it follows English phonetic rules, with the "i" being pronounced as a short "i" and the "ddle" at the end pronounced as "uhl". This phrase has its roots in cooking, where a griddle is used to cook food on a flat surface. However, in this context, it refers to putting someone under pressure.
"Put someone on the griddle" is an idiomatic expression, often used in informal language, which means to subject someone to intense scrutiny, interrogation, or harsh questioning. This phrase paints the image of someone being metaphorically placed on a hot griddle – a metal cooking surface typically used for grilling – and being exposed to intense heat. Just as the griddle cooks the food thoroughly, this expression implies that the individual is being thoroughly questioned or examined.
When someone is on the griddle, they are typically being interrogated or closely scrutinized with the aim of obtaining information, determining their guilt or innocence, or assessing their abilities. This can happen in various contexts, such as police investigations, job interviews, or legal proceedings, where individuals are subjected to rigorous questioning or put under intense pressure to reveal the truth or provide satisfactory answers.
The phrase "put someone on the griddle" emphasizes the intensity and seriousness of the questioning, as well as the discomfort or pressure that the person being interrogated may feel. It implies that they are being thoroughly examined and tested, much like food cooking on a hot griddle.