rake over the coals en · VERB
Pronunciation
- (Australia) audio
Etymology
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.
Meanings
-
(idiomatic) To call to task or to reprimand severely.
She raked him over the coals for lying to her.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| raked over the coals | Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| raked over the coals | Tense=Past | lexicographic | |
| rakes over the coals | Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres | lexicographic | |
| raking over the coals | Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic |