rakes over the coals
Gives harsh criticism
To rake someone over the coals is to reprimand them severely, often publicly or at length: The CEO raked the sales team over the coals for missing their quarterly targets.
The image is of punishment by fire—dragging someone across burning embers.
Also appears as haul over the coals or rake over the coals, with the latter sometimes meaning to revisit painful past events: Why rake over the coals of a failed marriage?
- rebukesCriticizes sharply for wrongdoing
- read the riot actSeverely warn of consequences
- chew outReprimand severely
- scoldRebuke harshly
- chastiseReprimand severely for wrongdoing
give an earful · upbraid · lay into · shame · lambaste · take to task · censure · defensiveness · berate · reproach · admonish · vulnerability · condemn · tear into · call on the carpet · put through the wringer · knock down a peg · humiliation
rakes over the coalshandles with kid gloves
Treats very gently
coddles · soft-pedals · sugarcoats · whitewashes · glosses over
rakes over the coalspraises
Verbally commends
commends · lauds · extols · applauds · pats on the back
rakes over the coalspraises
Verbally commends
commends · lauds · compliments · applauds · encourages