to haul over the coals
1haul over the coals — see under ↑coal • • • Main Entry: ↑haul * * * haul over the coals see ↑coal • • • Main Entry: ↑haul …
2haul over the coals — Ⅰ. ► haul over the coals reprimand severely. Main Entry: ↑coal Ⅱ. ► haul over the coals see COAL(Cf. ↑coaly). Main Entry: ↑haul …
3haul\ over\ the\ coals — • haul over the coals • rake over the coals v. phr. To criticize sharply; rebuke; scold. The sergeant raked the soldier over the coals for being late for roll call. Syn.: dress down …
4To haul over the coals — Haul Haul (h[add]l), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Hauled} (h[add]ld); p. pr. & vb. n. {Hauling}.] [OE. halen, halien, F. haler, of German or Scand. origin; akin to AS. geholian to acquire, get, D. halen to fetch, pull, draw, OHG. hol[=o]n, hal[=o]n, G.… …
5To haul over the coals — Coal Coal (k[=o]l), n. [AS. col; akin to D. kool, OHG. chol, cholo, G. kohle, Icel. kol, pl., Sw. kol, Dan. kul; cf. Skr. jval to burn. Cf. {Kiln}, {Collier}.] 1. A thoroughly charred, and extinguished or still ignited, fragment from wood or… …
6haul over the coals — drag/haul (someone) over the coals to speak angrily to someone because they have done something wrong. If I make a spelling mistake, I get hauled over the coals by my boss. They dragged her over the coals for being late with her assignment.… …
7haul 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 call./ Syn.: DRESS DOWN …
8haul 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 call./ Syn.: DRESS DOWN …
9rake or haul over the coals — idi rake or haul over the coals, to reprimand severely …
10haul 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 …
