3 ms·

Does anyone understand the title of Nature article? "Italy puts seismology in the dock" ? is it meant to be "in the dark" ?

• arscan 14y ago
  It means to put on trial.
• mikeash 14y ago
  "In the dock" means "on trial". http://www.usingenglish.com/reference/idioms/in+the+dock.html http://www.usingenglish.com/reference/idioms/in+the+dock.htm...
• kirian 14y ago
  "in the dock" is an idiom meaning to be put on trial.
• michaelhoffman 14y ago
  Definition of DOCK : the place in a criminal court where a prisoner stands or sits during trial — in the dock : on trial http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dock http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dock Commonly used in British/Commonwealth English, and Nature is based in London. I don't think I've ever heard it used in American English.
  • SoftwareMaven 14y ago
    "On the stand" would be the equivalent US idiom.
    • michaelhoffman 14y ago
      Not really, because any witness goes on the stand, whether they are a party to the case or not. Saying someone is "on the stand" does not mean they are a criminal defendant. Only criminal defendants are in the dock.
    • dmckeon 14y ago
      US and UK court idioms vary widely - a US defendant would be "on trial" while a UK accused would be "in the dock" Any witness would "on the stand" including a defendant who is called as a witness. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Witness_stand https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Witness_stand https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Courtroom https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Courtroom
• mc32 14y ago
  The dock is where the person on trial sits. I.e put seismology on trial.
• drone 14y ago
  It's an idiom, often used to express "putting on trial".
• engtech 14y ago
  Thank you for the clarification, guys. I hadn't realized Nature was British/UK.