carrot and stick

idiomPart ofcarrot

carrot and stick — idiom

1. a method of persuasion that combines a promised reward (the carrot) with a threa

1.idiom
Definition

a method of persuasion that combines a promised reward (the carrot) with a threatened punishment (the stick) in order to make someone do what you want.

Example

The teacher used a carrot-and-stick approach, rewarding good grades with treats but taking away privileges for late work.

Many parents find that a carrot-and-stick method works better than punishment alone when teaching young children good habits.