Carrot-and-stick Definition
kărət-ən-stĭk
adjective
Combining a promised reward with a threatened penalty.
Took a carrot-and-stick approach to the rehabilitation of juvenile offenders.
American Heritage
noun
Alternative spelling of carrot and stick.
Wiktionary
(idiomatic) Simultaneous rewards for good behavior and punishments for bad behavior.
Wiktionary
(idiomatic) A promised reward to encourage good behaviour that is never actually delivered.
Wiktionary
Other Word Forms of Carrot-and-stick
Noun
Singular:
carrot-and-stick
Plural:
carrots-and-sticksOrigin of Carrot-and-stick
-
From combining two ways to motivate a beast of burden, with the lure of a carrot placed just out of reach, and the threat of a stick behind.
From Wiktionary
-
From a stick attached to an animal with a carrot at the far end out of reach of the animal, which will compel the animal to walk forward
From Wiktionary
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