Translation guide
The English idiom "rake over the coals" means to scold or reprimand someone severely. In Japanese, there is no direct equivalent idiom, but several expressions convey a similar sense of harsh scolding or criticism.
Expressing the act of harshly criticizing or scolding someone for a mistake or wrongdoing.
Literally 'to scold and send flying', this is a common and natural way to express scolding someone harshly.
I was raked over the coals by my boss for being late.
Means 'to scold severely' or 'to give a harsh scolding'. The adverb こっぴどく intensifies the scolding.
An idiomatic expression meaning 'to get a big scolding' or 'to be chewed out'. Literally 'to eat a big eyeball', it implies a severe reprimand.
A more formal expression meaning 'to reprimand severely'. Suitable for written or formal contexts.
An onomatopoeic expression for nagging or scolding in a harsh, grating manner. Often used for persistent scolding.
The phrase 'rake over the coals' translated literally as 炭火をかき回す (sumibi o kakimawasu) does not convey the meaning of scolding in Japanese. It would be interpreted as a physical action, not an idiom.
He made a mistake and was raked over the coals by the department head.
When I was late, I got raked over the coals by the company president.
The committee raked over the coals for that misconduct.
My mom raked me over the coals for not cleaning my room.