lay into
phr. v..phr. v.. to criticize or attack someone harshly, often in a public or confrontational way.
phr. v.. to criticize or attack someone forcefully, often in a public or confrontational manner; typically used in contexts involving verbal reprimand or aggressive behavior.
The teacher laid into the student for cheating.
During the meeting, the manager laid into the employee for missing the deadline.
The senator, known for his fiery speeches, laid into the opposition with such intensity that the audience was left stunned.
typically followed by a person or group being criticized.
contrast with 'scold' (more mild) and 'berate' (more intense); 'lay into' implies a more aggressive or public form of criticism.
He laid the employee for the mistake.He laid into the employee for the mistake.the particle 'into' is required to indicate the act of criticizing.