give someone an earful
Deliver harsh criticism
To give someone an earful is to scold or criticize them at length, or to deliver an extended complaint: She gave him an earful about leaving the dishes in the sink.
The image is of filling someone's ear with words—usually unwelcome ones.
The phrase implies forceful, sustained talk rather than brief criticism.
- scoldRebuke harshly
- tiradeExtended angry speech
- rebukeExpress sharp disapproval
- berateCriticize severely and lengthily
- lay intoCriticize or strike harshly
rip into · admonish · lecture · criticize · reprimand · upbraid · exasperated · call on the carpet · rant · irate · harsh · dressing-down · tongue-lashing · verbal lashing · stern · chastise · angry · censure
give someone an earfullisten
Perceive sound attentively
lend an ear · be all ears · hear · keep quiet · hold one's tongue
give someone an earfulbite one's tongue
Refrain from speaking
hold one's tongue · keep quiet · say nothing · keep mum · zip one's lip