1983 World champs got a red carpet treatment..

Kapil Dev’s team got a red carpet welcome on returning from London after winning the World Cup in 1983

Red carpet treatment – that’s our next step in the quest towards better English speaking.

Now, if you read newspaper and esp page 3 enough, you would associate red carpet with Oscars and other cinema awards and pretty actresses in glamorous dresses. Its a big event done with a lot of fanfare and show.The guests are welcomed in style and then given a royal treatment.

That is the idea of a red carpet treatment. If you receive someone with a lot of respect and style and importance and give them a royal treatment as a host, you have given them red carpet treatment.

An equivalent phrase is “to roll out the red carpet for” – which can be used interchangeably with giving the red carpet treatment.

Let’s take some examples:

1. The corrupt politician when released from jail was given a red carpet treatment by his party members. It was disgusting to say the least. I mean, there is this guy who is a known thief returning from jail and everyone is celebrating it as if some soldier has returned after winning a war.
2. Bollywood stars are given red carpet treatment wherever they go
3. Why should he get a red carpet treatment in an official University function? He is not a scholar, he is not a scientist. Heck, he is not even qualified to sit in the classrooms.
4. The world cup winning cricket team was given a red carpet treatment on their return from London.

Use this expression to imply a hearty and resounding welcome. Let’s see some more examples:

1. The soldiers were given a red carpet treatment when they returned from Kargil heights after pushing back the Pakistanis.
2. I am a simple man. I will offer you whatever I have but don’t expect a red carpet welcome when you visit my place.
3. The foreign minister of China was given a red carpet welcome at the airport.