lit into
Harshly scolded someone
Lit into means to attack or criticize someone fiercely and suddenly.
The attack may be physical but is more often verbal—a burst of angry words: She really lit into him when he came home late.
The phrase suggests unleashing pent-up frustration or launching an assault without warning.
- beratedScolded severely at length
- chastisedCriticized severely for wrongdoing
- scoldedHarshly reprimanded
- admonishedWarned or reproved
- lashed outAttacked verbally or physically
reproached · castigated · upbraided · yelled at · rebuked · read the riot act · censured · lambasted · blasted · let have it · chewed out · dressed down · attacked · political debate · interpersonal conflict
lit intopraised
Expressed approval of
complimented · commended · lauded · soft-pedaled · handled with kid gloves
lit intodefended
Shielded from harm
championed · vouched for · vindicated · exonerated · absolved
lit, light, into, lighted, lighting, lights, lighter, lightest, alight