chew out
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
To lecture, scold, reprimand, or rebuke, especially in an angry tone of voice.
Register: slang
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
His dad chewed him out after seeing his poor grades.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “chew out” mean?
To lecture, scold, reprimand, or rebuke, especially in an angry tone of voice.
Is “chew out” formal or informal?
chew out is generally slang.