Word Noun
grilling
n.
countable
B2 Upper Intermediate US /ˈɡɹɪɫɪŋ/ UK /ɡɹˈɪlɪŋ/ grilling
Definition
n.a long period of intense and difficult questioning. You usually face this when someone wants to find out the truth or test your knowledge.
n.a period of intense, relentless, or aggressive questioning. Often used in contexts involving police interrogations, political interviews, or strict parental inquiries.
Examples
“The boss gave him a real grilling about the missing files.”
“After the team lost the final match, the coach gave the players a tough grilling in the locker room.”
“The minister faced a fierce grilling from the opposition during the committee hearing, with every policy failure being scrutinized under the public eye.”
Usage
Commonly used with the verb 'give' or 'get'.
Pitfall
The police made a grilling to the suspectThe police gave the suspect a grilling
Grilling collocations typically use 'give' or 'receive', not 'make'.
This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Occasional
Updated