house of detention

English

Etymology

house +‎ of +‎ detention

Noun

house of detention (plural houses of detention)

1. A prison, especially a temporary one.
   • 1972, Paul Simon (lyrics and music), “Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard”, in Paul Simon:

     Mama looked down and spit on the ground / Every time my name gets mentioned / The papa say "Oy, if I get that boy / I'm gonna stick him in the house of detention"