rake over the coals

Englisch - Englisch

Definition von rake over the coals im Englisch Englisch wörterbuch

To call to task or to reprimand severely

{f} scold severely

Türkische aussprache

reyk ōvır dhi kōlz

Synonyme

dress-down, haul over the coals, reprimand

Aussprache

/ˈrāk ˈōvər ᴛʜē ˈkōlz/ /ˈreɪk ˈoʊvɜr ðiː ˈkoʊlz/

Etymologie

[ 'rAk ] (noun.) before 12th century. The earliest example given is from 1565: "S. Augustine, that knewe best how to fetche an heretike ouer the coles." (OED). From the practice of dragging or raking heretics over coals performed by the Catholic Church as a form of torture.