rake over the coals

Bedeutung (Englisch)

To call to task or to reprimand severely.

Synonyme

chew out

rebuke

scold

tell someone off

reprimand severely

give a sound scolding

Etymologie (Englisch)

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.