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chew out

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chew someone out

 and eat someone out

Fig. to scold someone. The sergeant chewed the corporal out; then the corporal chewed the private out. The boss is always chewing out somebody.

See also: chew, out

chew out

Scold harshly, as in Dad will chew you out for taking the car without permission. Originating in the military, this slangy term began to be used during World War I and soon spread to civilian life. Several vulgar versions, such as chew someone's ass out, should be avoided in polite speech. Also see eat out, def. 2.

See also: chew, out

chew out

v. Slang

To scold or reprimand someone: The teacher chewed us out for being late.

See also: chew, out