haul someone over the coals
To express anger with someone in no uncertain terms when they do something wrong.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“My boss hauled me over the coals for being late again.”
“My parents haul me over the coals if I forget to lock the door.”
“The manager hauled the team over the coals after they missed the important project deadline.”
“The coach hauled the players over the coals in the locker room because they did not follow the game plan.”
“The committee will haul the local council members over the coals for wasting the public budget on unnecessary decorations.”
“Following the disastrous financial report, the board of directors hauled the chief executive over the coals to explain the company's sudden losses.”
The expression refers to a mediaeval ordeal formerly used as a punishment for heretics. The accused was forced to walk over or was dragged through a bed of glowing embers; if they survived the transit without significant injury, it was taken as a sign of divine intervention and a proof of their innocence. The ecclesiastical utility of the practice eventually waned, leaving the phrase to describe a purely verbal reprimand.
- 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
canary in a coal mine
Something whose sensitivity to adverse conditions makes it a useful early indicator of such conditions; something which warns of the coming of a greater danger or trouble by a deterioration in its health or welfare.
- 08
carry coals to Newcastle
To do something that is unneeded or redundant.
Last updated August 10, 2026