rake over the coals

English

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.

Pronunciation

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Verb

rake over the coals

1. (idiomatic) To call to task or to reprimand severely.

References

• Oxford English Dictionary
• Your Dictionary.com
• “rake over the coals”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.