tear someone a new one

English

Etymology

Euphemism, for tear someone a new asshole.

Verb

tear someone a new one (third-person singular simple present tears someone a new one, present participle tearing someone a new one, simple past tore someone a new one, past participle torn someone a new one)

1. (euphemistic) To express great anger toward (a person) for some perceived offence or shortcoming; to castigate.
   • 2016, Helen Callaghan, Dear Amy, →ISBN, page 80:

     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'.

Synonyms

• haul someone over the coals
• rip someone a new one
• rip someone a new asshole (vulgar)
• tear someone a new asshole (vulgar)