# give someone Hail Columbia

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/give-someone-hail-columbia
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To scold someone severely.

## Examples

- 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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.