# chew out

CEFR C1 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/chew-out
Updated: 2026-04-24

## Definition

to talk to someone in an angry way because they did something wrong. You use this when a person in charge is very upset with you.

For teachers: to reprimand or scold someone severely and at length. This phrasal verb is informal and typically implies a power imbalance, such as a boss to an employee.

## Examples

- The coach will chew out the team if they lose.
- My boss chewed me out for twenty minutes because I forgot to send the report.
- The sergeant proceeded to chew out the recruits for their lack of discipline during the morning drills, leaving them visibly shaken.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He chewed out to me." but "He chewed me out." — this is a transitive phrasal verb and does not take the preposition 'to' before the object.

## Usage notes

- The object can be placed between 'chew' and 'out'.
- Teaching tip: contrast with 'scold' (formal) or 'tell off' (neutral/common); 'chew out' suggests a more aggressive or loud verbal attack.

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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.