chewed out
Got an earful
Chewed out means harshly reprimanded or scolded, typically by someone in authority: The sergeant chewed out the recruits for their sloppy uniforms.
The image is of being verbally torn apart.
To chew someone out is the verb form: My boss chewed me out for missing the deadline.
- reprimandedOfficially expressed disapproval
- upbraidedCriticized sharply, past tense
- beratedScolded severely at length
- castigatedCriticized severely and publicly
- lecturedSpoke formally to instruct
ripped apart · lambasted · scolded · laid into · censured · rebuked · taken to task · admonished · reproof · criticized · drill sergeant · chastise · dressing-down · tongue-lashing · harsh words · embarrassment · humiliation · yelling
- humiliationashamed, abasement, embarrassed, chagrin, mortified