Dictionary of Phrase and Fable—C

Corner

(A). The condition of the market with respect to a commodity which has been largely bought up, in order to create a virtual monopoly and enhance its market price; as a salt-corner, a corner in pork, etc. The idea is that the goods are piled and hidden in a corner out of sight.

“The price of bread rose like a rocket, and speculators wished to corner what little wheat there was.” —New York Weekly Times (June 13, 1894).

Corner

Driven into a corner. Placed where there is no escape; driven from all subterfuges and excuses.

Corner

(The). Tattersall's horse-stores and betting-rooms, Knightsbridge Green. They were once at the corner of Hyde Park.

To make a corner.
To combine in order to control the price of a given article, and thus secure enormous profits. (See Corner.)

What have I done to deserve a corner?
To deserve punishment. The allusion is to setting naughty children in a corner by way of punishment. 
There's nothing I have done yet, o' my conscience,
Deserves a corner.

Shakespeare: Henry VIII., iii. 1.

Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894
Corner-stone
Corneille d'Esope
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