haul/rake someone over the coals

haul/rake someone over the coals
haul/rake (someone) over the coals
informal : to criticize (someone) very severely

I arrived late for the meeting and was immediately hauled over the coals by my boss.

• • •
Main Entry:coal

Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • rake someone over the coals — rake (or haul) someone over the coals reprimand someone severely * * * rake (someone) over the coals see ↑coal • • • Main Entry: ↑rake …   Useful english dictionary

  • haul (also N. Amer. rake) someone over the coals — reprimand someone severely. → coal …   English new terms dictionary

  • rake someone over the coals — North American way of saying haul someone over the coals (see coal). → rake …   English new terms dictionary

  • haul someone over the coals — british phrase to speak angrily to someone because they have done something wrong. The American expression is rake someone over the coals . Thesaurus: to criticize, accuse or blamesynonym to say something, or to speak to someone in an angry… …   Useful english dictionary

  • haul someone over the coals — British to speak angrily to someone because they have done something wrong. The American expression is rake someone over the coals …   English dictionary

  • haul/rake over the coals — haul/rake (someone) over the coals informal : to criticize (someone) very severely I arrived late for the meeting and was immediately hauled over the coals by my boss. • • • Main Entry: ↑coal …   Useful english dictionary

  • haul sb over the coals — US also rake sb over the coals) ► to criticize someone severely for something they have done: »Top ministers were hauled over the coals by the select committee for failing to disclose vital information in the inquiry. Main Entry: ↑haul …   Financial and business terms

  • haul — haul1 [ hɔl ] verb transitive * 1. ) to pull or carry something heavy from one place to another with a lot of effort: DRAG: Rescue workers attached the men to ropes before hauling them to safety. haul something/someone to/up/into etc.: I hauled… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • rake — rake1 noun 1》 an implement consisting of a pole with a toothed crossbar or fine tines at the end, used for drawing together cut grass or leaves or smoothing loose soil or gravel. 2》 an act of raking. verb 1》 draw together or make smooth with a… …   English new terms dictionary

  • haul — haul1 [ho:l US ho:l] v [T] [Date: 1200 1300; : French; Origin: haler to pull ] 1.) to pull something heavy with a continuous steady movement haul sth off/onto/out of etc sth ▪ She hauled her backpack onto her back. ▪ the steam locomotive which… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

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