"Putting on the rack" is an idiomatic expression that originated in medieval Europe and refers to a method of torture and interrogation. The rack was a device consisting of a wooden frame with rollers at each end, typically used to stretch a person's body. The victim's hands and feet were tied to the rollers, and then they would be stretched by turning the rollers in opposite directions, causing great pain and sometimes dislocating or even tearing muscles and joints.
Figuratively, "putting on the rack" means subjecting someone to immense emotional or psychological pressure, often with the intent of extracting a confession, information, or compliance. This can involve intense questioning, relentless demands, or the imposition of severe stressors, both physically and mentally. The phrase is often used metaphorically in reference to intense or coercive persuasion tactics, coercion, or bullying.
In a wider context, "putting on the rack" may also describe a situation in which someone is subjected to a severe or prolonged test of endurance or resilience, facing intense scrutiny, criticism, or challenges that are mentally or emotionally taxing.
The term is mainly used in informal or figurative contexts, often in relation to interpersonal relationships, workplace dynamics, or political manipulation. It conveys the idea of subjecting someone to extreme pressure or distress, either physically or mentally, in order to extract a certain outcome or response.
