[haul over the coals] or [rake over the coals] {v. phr.} To criticize sharply; rebuke; scold. * /The sergeant raked the soldier over the coals for being late for roll […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

chew out

[chew out] {v.}, {slang} To scold roughly. * /The boy's father chewed him out for staying up late./ * /The coach chews out lazy players./ Syn.: [BAWL OUT], [CALL ON […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

tell a thing or two

[tell a thing or two] {v. phr.}, {informal} To tell in plain or angry words; scold. * /When John complained about the hard work, his father told him a thing […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

call down

[call down] also [dress down] {v.}, {informal} To scold. * /Jim was called down by his teacher for being late to class./ * /Mother called Bob down for walking into […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

Recent updates

Lee Trevino

(1939--) U.S. golfer My wife doesn't care what I do when I'm away, as long as I don't have a good time.

make it snappy

[make it snappy] {v. phr.}, {informal} To move quickly; be fast; hurry. - Usually used as a command. * /"Make it snappy," […]

take in

[take in] {v.} 1. To include. * /The country's boundaries were changed to fake in a piece of land beyond the river./ * /The […]

Russian proverb

You need a strong stomach to digest luck.

Quizzes on idioms starting with N

four corners

[four corners] {n.} All parts of a place. * /People came from the four corners of the world to see him./ * /He has been to […]

on paper

[on paper] {adv.} or {adj. phr.} Judging by appearances only and not by past performance; in theory; theoretically. * /On […]

Tongue Twisters