What does “Haul someone over the coals” mean?
"Haul someone over the coals" means to scold or reprimand someone severely.
What context can I use the in?
Example
The boss hauls employees over the coals for making mistakes.
Example
My parents hauled me over the coals for coming home late.
Example
The teacher hauls students over the coals for not completing their assignments
Is “Haul someone over the coals” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?
“Haul someone over the coals” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.
How would I use “Haul someone over the coals” effectively in context?
You can use "Haul someone over the coals" to describe a situation where someone is being scolded or reprimanded severely. It emphasizes the intensity and seriousness of the scolding. For example, if a manager is criticizing employees for making mistakes, you might say, 'The boss hauled employees over the coals for their errors.'
- 1Work
The boss hauls employees over the coals for making mistakes.
- 2Family
My parents hauled me over the coals for coming home late.
- 3Education
The teacher hauls students over the coals for not completing their assignments.
Similar phrases to “Haul someone over the coals”:
Read someone the riot act
To reprimand or warn someone sternly
Example
The teacher read the students the riot act for their disruptive behavior.
Chew someone out
To scold or reprimand someone angrily
Example
The boss chewed out the employee for missing the deadline.
Good things to know:
Where does the phrase “Haul someone over the coals” come from?
The origin of the phrase "Haul someone over the coals" is unknown.
Is “Haul someone over the coals” common in everyday conversation?
Yes, "Haul someone over the coals" is a common idiom in everyday conversation. It is often used to describe situations where someone is being severely scolded or reprimanded.
What tone does “Haul someone over the coals” have?
"Haul someone over the coals" conveys a tone of severity and criticism. It is used to describe situations where someone is being harshly reprimanded or scolded.
Can “Haul someone over the coals” be used in informal and formal settings?
The phrase "Haul someone over the coals" is more commonly used in informal settings. It is often used in casual conversations among friends, family, or colleagues. However, it can also be used in more formal situations, such as professional meetings or discussions.
Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?
It is commonly used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'The manager hauled the employee over the coals for their mistake.' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'He got hauled over the coals!' to imply that someone received a severe scolding.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
- berate
- criticize
- reprimand
- scold
- lecture
- dress down
- give a tongue-lashing
- give a piece of one's mind
- rake over the coals
- call someone out
Antonyms
- compliment
- encourage
- applaud
- acknowledge
- appreciate
- commend
- praise
- support
- reward
- speak highly of
