Antonyms for rake over coals
| Grammar : Verb |
| Spell : kohl |
| Phonetic Transcription : koÊŠl |
Definition of rake over coals
Origin :- Old English col "charcoal, live coal," from Proto-Germanic *kula(n) (cf. Old Frisian kole, Middle Dutch cole, Dutch kool, Old High German chol, German Kohle, Old Norse kol), from PIE root *g(e)u-lo- "live coal" (cf. Irish gual "coal").
- Meaning "mineral consisting of fossilized carbon" is from mid-13c. First mentioned (370 B.C.E.) by Theophrastus in his treatise "On Stones" under the name lithos anthrakos (see anthrax). Traditionally good luck, coal was given as a New Year's gift in England, said to guarantee a warm hearth for the coming year. The phrase drag (or rake) over the coals was a reference to the treatment meted out to heretics by Christians. To carry coals "do dirty work," also "submit to insult" is from 1520s. To carry coals to Newcastle (c.1600) Anglicizes Greek glauk eis Athenas "owls to Athens."
- As in lambaste : verb punish, beat
- As in objurgate : verb berate
- As in revile : verb scold
- As in scold : verb find fault with
- As in tell off : verb reprimand; criticize harshly
- As in upbraid : verb scold
- As in berate : verb criticize hatefully
- As in bawl out : verb severely reprimand
- As in rake over the coals : verb criticize harshly
- As in chasten : verb correct, humiliate
- As in rail against : verb revile
- As in scarify : verb slam
- As in scathe : verb slam
- As in dress down : verb scold
Synonyms for rake over coals
- abase
- abuse
- admonish
- afflict
- asperse
- assail
- attack
- bawl out
- berate
- blame
- blister
- bludgeon
- burn someone's ears
- call down
- carpet
- castigate
- cavil
- censure
- chasten
- chastise
- chew
- chew out
- chide
- cow
- crawl all over
- criticize
- cudgel
- curb
- cuss out
- damn
- denigrate
- denounce
- discipline
- disparage
- dress down
- dress-down
- drub
- eat out
- excoriate
- expostulate
- exprobate
- flay
- flog
- fulminate against
- give a piece of one's mind
- give a talking to
- give a talking-to
- give one hell
- give piece of one's mind
- give tongue-lashing
- give what for
- hammer
- haul over the coals
- have on the carpet
- have words
- hit
- humble
- jaw
- jump all over
- jump down one's throat
- jump on
- keep aft
- lambaste
- lash
- lash into
- lay down the law
- lecture
- light into
- nag
- objurate
- objurgate
- pan
- pelt
- penalize
- pin someone's ears back
- pound
- preach
- pummel
- punish
- put down
- put someone on the griddle
- put someone on the hot seat
- rail
- rail at
- rake over coals
- rake over the coals
- rate
- read the riot act
- read the riot act to
- ream
- rebuke
- recriminate
- reprehend
- repress
- reprimand
- reproach
- reprobate
- reprove
- restrain
- revile
- rip into
- roast
- scarify
- scathe
- scold
- scorch
- score
- scorn
- scourge
- shellac
- shoot down
- slam
- slap
- slash
- smear
- smother
- soften
- strike
- subdue
- take to task
- tame
- taunt
- tear into
- tell off
- thrash
- tick off
- tongue-lash
- trim
- try
- upbraid
- vilify
- vituperate
- wallop
- whip
- yell at
Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019