give (someone) the rough side of (one's) tongue

give (someone) the rough side of (one's) tongue

To give someone severe criticism and/or a stern reprimand. I thought my project was fine, but did you hear Ms. Miller's critique? Boy, she gave me the rough side of her tongue after class!
See also: give, of, rough, side, tongue
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

give someone the rough side of your tongue

or

give someone the rough edge of your tongue

BRITISH, OLD-FASHIONED
If you give someone the rough side of your tongue or the rough edge of your tongue, you speak angrily to them about something that they have done wrong. He's really going to give the boy the rough side of his tongue. Note: You can also say that someone gets the rough side or edge of your tongue or feels the rough side or edge of your tongue. As Archer watched the others walk away, he knew he was going to get the rough edge of his father's tongue. They felt the rough edge of their captain's tongue when things went wrong.
See also: give, of, rough, side, someone, tongue
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
See also:
  • give someone the rough side of your tongue
  • a lick with the rough side of the tongue
  • give (one) an earful
  • give someone an earful
  • put (someone or something) under a microscope
  • give (someone) what for, to
  • get after
  • get after (someone or something)
  • call (one) to task
  • give them hell