tear a strip off (someone)

tear a strip off (someone)

To scold, upbraid, or rebuke someone very severely, as for an error or wrongdoing. The teacher really tore a strip off me for causing a disruption in class again.
See also: off, strip, tear
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

tear a strip off someone

or

tear someone off a strip

BRITISH
If you tear a strip off someone or tear them off a strip, you speak angrily to them, because they have done something wrong. He heard Nora tearing a strip off a member of staff for not returning the food bins to the kitchen soon enough. The headmaster tore me off a strip for being late.
See also: off, someone, strip, tear
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
See also:
  • tear a strip off someone
  • tear somebody off a strip
  • tear someone off a strip
  • rebuke
  • rebuke (someone or something) for (doing) (something)
  • rebuke for
  • reprimand
  • reprimand (someone or something) for (doing) (something)
  • reprimand for
  • upbraid for