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Antonyms for rake over coals


Grammar : Verb
Spell : kohl
Phonetic Transcription : koʊl



Definition of rake over coals

Origin :
  • Old English col "charcoal, live coal," from Proto-Germanic *kula(n) (cf. Old Frisian kole, Middle Dutch cole, Dutch kool, Old High German chol, German Kohle, Old Norse kol), from PIE root *g(e)u-lo- "live coal" (cf. Irish gual "coal").
  • Meaning "mineral consisting of fossilized carbon" is from mid-13c. First mentioned (370 B.C.E.) by Theophrastus in his treatise "On Stones" under the name lithos anthrakos (see anthrax). Traditionally good luck, coal was given as a New Year's gift in England, said to guarantee a warm hearth for the coming year. The phrase drag (or rake) over the coals was a reference to the treatment meted out to heretics by Christians. To carry coals "do dirty work," also "submit to insult" is from 1520s. To carry coals to Newcastle (c.1600) Anglicizes Greek glauk eis Athenas "owls to Athens."
  • As in lambaste : verb punish, beat
  • As in objurgate : verb berate
  • As in revile : verb scold
  • As in scold : verb find fault with
  • As in tell off : verb reprimand; criticize harshly
  • As in upbraid : verb scold
  • As in berate : verb criticize hatefully
  • As in bawl out : verb severely reprimand
  • As in rake over the coals : verb criticize harshly
  • As in chasten : verb correct, humiliate
  • As in rail against : verb revile
  • As in scarify : verb slam
  • As in scathe : verb slam
  • As in dress down : verb scold

Synonyms for rake over coals

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019