laying into
Harshly criticizing someone
Laying into means attacking vigorously, whether physically or verbally.
Someone might lay into an opponent with fists or lay into a colleague with criticism: The coach really laid into the team after that loss.
The phrase suggests sustained, intense aggression rather than a single blow or remark.
- chastisingCriticizing severely for faults
- ventingReleasing emotion verbally
- beratingHarsh verbal criticism
- lambastingHarshly criticizing someone
- tearing apartForcibly separating into pieces
taking to task · castigating · reading the riot act · assaulting · striking · hitting · rebuking · scolding · punching · admonishing · lashing out · censuring · slapping · battering · kicking · reproaching · shoving · pummeling
- reproachesblaming, scolding, rebuking, reprimanding, censuring
- criticismcriticism, critique, review, feedback, opinion
- reproofsscolding, rebuke, reprimand, admonishment, admonition
laying intopraising
Voicing admiration
lauding · complimenting · extolling · commending · applauding
laying intocomforting
Giving emotional ease
consoling · soothing · nurturing · coddling · letting off easy
laying intoignoring
Deliberately not noticing
letting slide · overlooking · biting one's tongue · leaving alone