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DictionarykeelhaulReprimand
verb

keelhaul

KEEL-hawl/ˈkiːlhɔːl/

To punish or criticize someone severely.

The supervisor keelhauls the employee over damaged equipment.

A stern supervisor severely reprimands an employee about damaged equipment, pointed disapproving gesture and contrite response; purely figurative criticism, no ship or torture.
Etymology
kielhalenDutchhaul under the keel

Dragging someone under a ship's keel became a model for severe punishment or criticism.

More examples

  • The reviewer keelhauls the book for its careless errors.
  • He expects his boss to keelhaul him over the missed deadline.

Forms

keelhaul · keelhauls

Similar words

berate
Means to scold angrily and at length.
reprimand
Can be more formal and less severe.