tear someone a new one en · VERB
Etymology
Euphemism, for tear someone a new asshole.
Meanings
-
(euphemistic) To express great anger toward (a person) for some perceived offence or shortcoming; to castigate.
Brian, Katie's step-father, had been in the office for over an hour, and Estella, who taught in the class below, had been hard pressed to stop her students from muttering and giggling at the low boom and roar of Mr Morris's voice as he, in the parlance of the day, 'Tore Ben a new one'.
2016, Helen Callaghan, Dear Amy, →ISBN, page 80:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| torn someone a new one | Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| tearing someone a new one | Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| tore someone a new one | Tense=Past | lexicographic | |
| tears someone a new one | Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres | lexicographic |
Synonyms
rip someone a new one · rip someone a new asshole · tear someone a new asshole · haul someone over the coals