verb
grill
To question someone intensely or relentlessly.
The investigator grills him about the missing funds.
Etymology
The cooking verb supplied an image for subjecting someone to intense pressure. Relentless questioning figuratively puts the person over the heat.
More examples
- Reporters grilled the official after the hearing.
- She was grilled for an hour about her account.
- His parents grilled him about the late arrival.
Forms
grill · grills · grilled · grilling
Similar words
- interrogate
- Question formally and systematically.
- cross-examine
- Question witnesses to test their accounts, especially in court.