rake over the coals

English - English

Definition of rake over the coals in English English dictionary

To call to task or to reprimand severely

{f} scold severely

Turkish pronunciation

reyk ōvır dhi kōlz

Synonyms

dress-down, haul over the coals, reprimand

Pronunciation

/ˈrāk ˈōvər ᴛʜē ˈkōlz/ /ˈreɪk ˈoʊvɜr ðiː ˈkoʊlz/

Etymology

[ 'rAk ] (noun.) before 12th century. The earliest example given is from 1565: "S. Augustine, that knewe best how to fetche an heretike ouer the coles." (OED). From the practice of dragging or raking heretics over coals performed by the Catholic Church as a form of torture.