English Explanatory Dictionary

haul someone over the coals

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To express anger with someone in no uncertain terms when they do something wrong.

Pronunciation

en-au-haul someone over the coals.ogg

Word forms

haul someone over the coals hauls someone over the coals hauling someone over the coals hauled someone over the coals

Etymology

In reference to a punishment once meted out to heretics.

Synonyms

berate give someone a dressing down give someone a telling off pull someone over the coals rake over the coals read someone the riot act scold tear a strip off someone tear someone a new asshole tear someone a new one tell off tell someone off
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