expression, ichidan verb
rake over the coals; scold severely; chastise
Idiomatic expression for giving someone a stern scolding or dressing-down, often with a nuance of teaching them a lesson. The image comes from the painful practice of moxibustion.
See also: 灸を据える
遅刻したら、部長にお灸を据えられた。
When I was late, the department head gave me a real dressing-down.
あの子は生意気だから、一度お灸を据えてやらないと。
That kid is so cheeky; I need to give him a good scolding sometime.
expression, ichidan verb
burn moxa on the skin
Original literal meaning: to apply moxibustion by burning moxa on the skin. Now rare as a standalone phrase; the idiomatic sense is dominant.
See also: 灸を据える
昔は、肩こりに効くと言って、よくお灸を据えたものだ。
In the old days, people often burned moxa on the skin, saying it was good for stiff shoulders.