se faire tirer l’oreille

The French expression translates literally to “se faire tirer l’oreille” to get pulled by the ear”.

English meanings:

• to get a tongue-lashing
• to scold somebody severely

French meanings:

• engueuler, houspiller – to tell off, to reprimand
• réprimander (formal language) – to tell off

Example sentence:

• L’employé s’est fait tirer par l’oreille quand il n’a pas suivi les indications de son patron. The employee got scolded severely when he didn’t follow his boss’ instructions.

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