gantlet
Two rows, blows
A gantlet is a form of punishment or ordeal in which a person runs between two rows of people who strike them as they pass.
To run the gantlet means to endure such an ordeal, or figuratively, to face a barrage of criticism or hostility: New employees had to run the gantlet of hazing.
Gantlet is also a railroad term for overlapping tracks that allow trains to pass on a single right-of-way.
The spelling gauntlet is more common for the punishment sense, though some insist gantlet is correct there while gauntlet should mean only the armored glove.
Beating as punishment
- whippingRepeated striking blows
- lashesEye-fringing hairs
- corporalOf the flesh
- flagellationBeating with a whip
discipline · birching · scourge · cat-o'-nine-tails · beating · military · formation · striking
Something blocking the way
- challengeTest of ability
- enduranceSustained effort capacity
- trialJudicial examination of claims
- testEvaluative examination
crucible · hazing · initiation · onslaught · barrage · bombardment · gamut · passage
Protected by metal covering
- medievalOf the Middle Ages
- knightHonored mounted soldier
- metalHard conductive solid
- chainmailArmor of linked rings
plate · wrist · jousting · combat · warfare · steel · iron · leather
Path or monitored route
- railsGuiding metal bars
- overlapPartial coincidence of coverage
- junctionPoint where things meet
- switchesCircuit opening devices
crossing · narrowing · convergence · railroad · train · routing · interchange · double-track
flogging
Beating as punishment
flagellation · discipline · birching · scourge · cat-o'-nine-tails · beating · military · formation · striking · blows
obstacle
Something blocking the way
test · crucible · hazing · initiation · onslaught · barrage · bombardment · gamut · passage · running
armored
Protected by metal covering
chainmail · plate · wrist · jousting · combat · warfare · steel · iron · leather · buckler
track
Path or monitored route
switches · crossing · narrowing · convergence · railroad · train · routing · interchange · double-track · single-track
gantletcakewalk
Effortless task or promenade
breeze · smooth sailing · walk in the park · safe passage · red carpet treatment
gantlethonor guard
Military tribute formation
red carpet · hero's welcome · receiving line · guard of honor · ticker-tape parade