けんつくを食くわせる

expression, ichidan verb

give a sharp scolding; angrily reject; snub

Idiomatic expression meaning to scold someone harshly or to reject them in an angry, dismissive manner. Often implies a verbal dressing-down or a sharp refusal.

• 彼かれは無む理りな要よう求きゅうをけんつくを食くわせて断ことわった。

  He angrily rejected the unreasonable demand.

• 上じょう司しにけんつくを食くわせられて、しょんぼりした。

  I was given a good scolding by my boss and felt dejected.