get a penalty

USAGE SUMMARY

"get a penalty" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe the consequences for breaking a rule or law, or to describe a sport where a team or individual is punished for violating a rule. For example: "The referee gave the team a penalty for being offside."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You might get a penalty of £60.

Independent

Eventually we'll get a penalty, you imagine".

The Guardian - Sport

And then they get a penalty.

The Guardian - Sport

They can get a penalty if they underpay," he adds.

Independent

You get a penalty and get backed up.

The New York Times - Sports

"I had hoped we would get a penalty in this game.

The Guardian

If you don't get touched and you go down just to get a penalty, that's cheating.

The New York Times - Sports

Why he didn't get a penalty is more to the point.

The New York Times - Sports

Australia keep going and get a penalty advantage after Cooper's half break.

The Guardian - Sport

"Did I get a penalty?" the 39-year-old Stevens said.

The New York Times - Sports

9.53am BST 60 min Another good scrum from England and they get a penalty.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "get a penalty" in sports writing, specify the type of infraction that led to the penalty for clarity and context.

Common error

Avoid using "get a penalty" when you mean to say a player strategically drew a foul. Use "draw a penalty" or "earn a penalty" instead to convey intent and skill, as "get a penalty" typically implies unintentional wrongdoing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "get a penalty" functions primarily as a verb phrase. Ludwig AI indicates it is used to describe the action of receiving a punishment or disadvantage due to violating rules, often in sports or other regulated contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "get a penalty" is a common and grammatically correct expression, primarily used to describe receiving a punishment for violating rules, especially in sports. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usefulness in various contexts. The phrase is most frequently found in News & Media sources, maintaining a neutral register. Related phrases include "receive a penalty" and "incur a penalty", which offer slightly different nuances. A common error is confusing "get a penalty" with "earn a penalty", which carries a different connotation. Overall, "get a penalty" is a straightforward and widely understood phrase for describing the consequence of a rule infraction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

receive a penalty

Uses a more formal verb, 'receive', instead of 'get', but conveys the same meaning of being penalized.

incur a penalty

Employs 'incur' to indicate that the penalty is a consequence of one's actions.

be penalized

Changes the structure to passive voice, focusing on the action being done to the subject.

draw a penalty

Refers to causing the opposing team to commit a foul that results in a penalty.

be assessed a penalty

Formal way of saying a penalty has been given.

suffer a penalty

Highlights the negative consequence of the penalty.

face a penalty

Indicates the anticipation or possibility of receiving a penalty.

be hit with a penalty

Emphasizes the sudden and forceful imposition of the penalty.

concede a penalty

From the perspective of the team that commits the foul.

award a penalty

Highlights the action of an official or referee in giving the penalty.

FAQs

What does "get a penalty" mean in sports?

In sports, "get a penalty" means a player or team is punished for violating a rule, resulting in a disadvantage such as losing yardage or giving the opposing team a free shot.

Is it correct to say "earn a penalty" instead of "get a penalty"?

While "get a penalty" typically implies unintentional wrongdoing, "earn a penalty" or "draw a penalty" suggests a player strategically caused the opposing team to commit a foul.

What's the difference between "get a penalty" and "receive a penalty"?

"Get a penalty" is more informal and common, while "receive a penalty" is a more formal way of saying the same thing.

How to use "get a penalty" in a sentence?

You can use "get a penalty" in a sentence like: "The team will "get a penalty" if they continue to commit fouls." or "He risked to "get a penalty" for unsportsmanlike conduct.