Meaning of tear someone a new one | Babel Free

Definitions

To express great anger toward (a person) for some perceived offence or shortcoming; to castigate.

euphemistic

Examples

“Brian, Katie's step-father, had been in the office for over an hour, and Estella, who taught in the class below, had been hard pressed to stop her students from muttering and giggling at the low boom and roar of Mr Morris's voice as he, in the parlance of the day, 'Tore Ben a new one'.”

CEFR level