haul someone over the coals
(chiefly, UK, idiomatic) To express anger with someone in no uncertain terms when they do something wrong.
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(chiefly, UK, idiomatic) To express anger with someone in no uncertain terms when they do something wrong.
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Semantically related
- rake over old coals72%
(figuratively, British) To bring back old problems; to dig up old trouble.
- going over64%
A severe, thorough scolding.
- haul in64%
(slang) To arrest or bring someone to the police or authority figures for questioning, etc.
- get one's ashes hauled64%
(slang) To receive sexual gratification.
- keelhauling64%
(slang, obsolete, by extension) A thorough thrashing or mauling; rough treatment.