light into
Harshly criticize someone
To light into someone is to attack them verbally or physically with sudden intensity: She lit into him the moment he walked through the door.
The phrase suggests an aggressive, often angry confrontation—criticism delivered forcefully rather than measured reproof.
The coach lit into the team after their sloppy performance.
- criticizeJudge unfavorably, vocally
- attackAggressive act against another
- assaultViolent offensive act
- bashForceful striking blow
- batterUncooked cake mixture
go off on · scold · rebuke · read the riot act · fall upon · set upon · reprimand · take to task · beat · clobber · have at · let have it · berate · lambaste · condemn · chastise · hammer · denounce