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Opinion - Rebuke

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

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English idioms related to Opinion
sharp tongue

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

Ex: Her sharp tongue made even simple meetings uncomfortable. 
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to [get] the rough side of {one's} tongue

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

Ex: He got the rough side of his mother's tongue for coming home so late. 
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to [skin] {sb} alive

to punish a person harshly, often by severely criticizing them

Ex: If Dad finds out you crashed the car, he will skin you alive. 
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to [tear] a strip off {sb}

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

Ex: The manager tore a strip off him for leaving the safe unlocked. 
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{sb} (can|could) dish it out, but {sb} (cannot|could not) take it

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: Mark can dish it out, but he can't take it; he jokes about everyone, then sulks when they tease him back. 
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to [eat] {sb} alive

to harshly reprimand someone for what they did

Ex: The manager will eat me alive if she sees this mistake in the report. 
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under fire
under fire
[phrase]

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

Ex: The mayor is under fire after raising taxes without warning. 
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under siege
under siege
[phrase]

receiving much criticism

Ex: The charity is under siege after reports of poor financial management. 
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to [cut] {sb} down to size

to make someone feel less confident or important

Ex: The coach cut him down to size after he bragged. 
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to [give] {sb} hell

to criticize or scold someone harshly or relentlessly

Ex: My boss gave me hell for missing the client meeting. 
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