laid into
Harshly criticized someone
To lay into someone is to attack them physically or verbally with force and persistence: She really laid into him when she found out he'd been lying.
The phrase suggests sustained aggression rather than a single blow—a thorough beating or a fierce tongue-lashing.
- criticizeJudge unfavorably, vocally
- attackAggressive act against another
- tore apartForcibly ripped into pieces
- confrontFace squarely, address directly
- castigateReprimand severely
berate · chewed out · lambasted · scold · reprimanded · dressed down · admonished · upbraided · read the riot act · assault · censured · rebuke · accost · condemned · lashed out · let them have it · challenged · blast