Opinion - Rebuke

Explore English idioms that relate to rebukes, including "sharp tongue" and "tear a strip off".

Review

Flashcards

Forms

Quiz

Start learning

sharp tongue

[noun]

one's tendency to speak to people in a very critical manner

Ex: Known for her sharp tongue, the professor could quickly dismantle weak arguments with concise and biting remarks.

to get the rough side of one's tongue

[phrase]

to speak to a person who has done something wrong or inappropriate in a very angry or harsh manner

Ex: After repeatedly missing deadlines, the employee finally got the rough side of the boss's tongue during a stern reprimand.

to skin somebody alive

[phrase]

to punish a person harshly, often by severely criticizing them

Ex: After the disastrous business presentation, the manager threatened to skin the sales team alive for their lack of preparation.

to tear a strip off somebody

[phrase]

to speak to or criticize a person in an angry or serious manner, particularly because of their wrongdoing

Ex: When the employee made a serious error on the important report, the manager tore a strip off him during the meeting, expressing disappointment and frustration.

{sb} (can|could) dish it out, but {sb} (cannot|could not) take it

somebody can dish it out, but somebody cannot take it

[sentence]

used to mean that someone is capable of criticizing or teasing others, but they become sensitive or defensive when faced with the same kind of criticism or teasing themselves

Ex: Basically, he was a bully, and like most bullies, he could dish it out, but couldn't take it.

to eat somebody alive

[phrase]

to harshly reprimand someone for what they did

Ex: When the employee's repeated mistakes jeopardized the project, the manager ate them alive during the team meeting, expressing frustration and disappointment.

under fire

[phrase]

used of a person or an organization that is facing strong and negative feedback

Ex: After the controversial decision, the CEO found himself under fire from both employees and shareholders who questioned his leadership.

under siege

[phrase]

receiving much criticism

Ex: The CEO found himself under siege as the media, shareholders, and employees criticized his decision to cut employee benefits.

to give somebody hell

[phrase]

to criticize or scold someone harshly or relentlessly

Ex: After the employee's repeated mistakes, the manager gave them hell during the performance review, highlighting the need for improvement.

Opinion
Agreement or Approval	Disagreement or Disapproval	Criticism	Rebuke
Expressing Opinions	Discussion	Point of View	Making a Point
Thoughts & Assumptions	Argument	Quarrel

Download LanGeek app