Definition
To express anger with someone in no uncertain terms when they do something wrong.
Origins
In reference to a punishment once meted out to heretics.
In Context
- "The teacher hauled him over the coals for not doing his homework."
Also Said As
- 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