give someone Hail Columbia
To scold someone severely.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“My boss gave me Hail Columbia for arriving late again.”
“After the students broke the classroom window, the principal gave them Hail Columbia for their reckless behavior.”
“The stern captain gave the crew Hail Columbia for their failure to secure the cargo before the storm hit the harbor.”
- 01
as if someone owns the place
Alternative form of like someone owns the place.
- 02
beat someone round the ears
To beat (a person) with blows about the head.
- 03
bless someone with
To give or bestow, as a gift from God.
- 04
bring someone to their knees
To defeat and make submit to orders.
- 05
call someone every name in the book
To call someone many abusive names.
- 06
call someone everything but a child of God
To call someone many abusive names.
- 07
catch someone napping
To take advantage of someone's inattention.
- 08
cry someone a river
To weep profusely or excessively in the presence of another person.
Last updated August 10, 2026