rake over the coals

Idioms and Phrases

Also, haul over the coals . Reprimand severely, as in When Dad finds out about the damage to the car, he's sure to rake Peter over the coals , or The coach hauled him over the coals for missing practice . These terms allude to the medieval torture of pulling a heretic over red-hot coals. [Early 1800s]

Example Sentences

When he was asked several questions the following day about the trades, Rivera said, “I’m through with it, OK. Just so you know. I’m ready to talk about New England. We’re going forward onto New England. For me the deals are done. There’s not much more to rake over the coals.”

From Washington Times

Take “Diana, the Musical,” which I won’t rake over the coals again except to say it was phony from first to last.

From New York Times

Said Senator Hart: "I have the greatest difficulty getting it through my noodle why management seems to feel that it isn't cricket to rake over the coals."

From Time Magazine Archive

The trait had so developed in him that whenever he rose to speak, the question ran around, "I wonder who Dan'l 's a-goin' to rake over the coals now."

From Project Gutenberg

Don Grahame was the son of the leader of the community whom Jones had promised to rake over the coals that night, after the circus.

From Project Gutenberg