Fig.: to summon for a scolding; to reprimand a subordinate

Andrew is always late in the morning, and the boss, tired of putting up with it, told him off very badly in front of everyone

Stanco dei continui ritardi di Andrea, il capo gli ha fatto un cicchetto davanti a tutti

After losing a big order, the boss called the sales manager on the carpet. It was something he will not forget that easily

Dopo aver perso una grossa commessa, il capo ha convocato il direttore commerciale per fargli un cicchetto che non dimenticherà tanto presto

To walk the carpet was a British phrase of the early 1800s, which referred to a servant called into the parlor (usually a carpeted area) to be reprimanded by the master or mistress of the house