What Does “Chew sb out” Mean?
“Chew sb out” means to angrily scold or criticize someone for their mistakes or bad behavior.
Introduction
The phrase “chew sb out” is a common English phrasal verb used to describe a situation where someone is being reprimanded loudly or harshly. It often happens when a person in authority, like a boss or parent, expresses strong disapproval of another person’s actions. Understanding the “chew sb out meaning” is useful for learners because it helps describe emotional reactions and conflicts in conversations. This phrase is informal and mostly used in spoken English or casual writing. Knowing how to use “chew sb out” correctly will improve your communication skills, especially when expressing frustration or describing someone being told off.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: chew somebody out
- Type: transitive
- Level: B2 (Upper-Intermediate)
- Short meaning: to scold or criticize someone angrily
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Chew sb out” is a separable phrasal verb. This means you can place the object (sb = somebody) between “chew” and “out” or after the whole phrase.
- Subject + chew + somebody + out
- Subject + chew + out + somebody
Examples:
- The manager chewed John out for being late.
- The manager chewed out John for being late.
How to Use “Chew sb out”?
Use “chew sb out” when you want to describe someone getting told off strongly. It is often used in informal contexts like work, school, or family situations. It usually involves a negative reaction to a mistake or bad behavior. You can use it in past, present, or future tenses by changing the verb “chew.”
Examples:
- My teacher chewed me out for not doing homework.
- Don’t get chewed out by your boss!
- She will chew you out if you’re late again.
Examples
- After breaking the vase, Tim was chewed out by his mother.
- The coach chewed the team out for losing the match.
- He got chewed out for forgetting the meeting.
- My supervisor chewed me out for missing the deadline.
- Don’t worry; I won’t chew you out if you make a mistake.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: The teacher chewed out to me.
- Correct: The teacher chewed me out.
- Incorrect: She chewed out for being late.
- Correct: She was chewed out for being late.
Differences / Synonyms
“Chew sb out” is similar to “tell sb off,” “scold sb,” and “reprimand sb.” However, “chew sb out” implies a more intense or angry scolding. For example:
- Tell sb off: Can be mild or serious criticism.
- Scold sb: Usually used with children; less intense.
- Reprimand sb: Formal and serious.
- Chew sb out: Informal and angry or harsh.
Common Collocations
- Chew someone out
- Chew an employee out
- Chew a child out
- Chew a student out
- Chew a team out
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of chew sb out:
Real-life Dialogue
John: I heard you got chewed out by the boss. What happened?
Mary: Yeah, I missed an important deadline. He was really angry and chewed me out in front of everyone.
John: That sounds tough. Did you apologize?
Mary: Yes, I promised to work harder next time.
Practice
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of “chew sb out”:
- The teacher ______ me ______ for forgetting my homework.
- If you arrive late again, the coach will ______ you ______.
- He was ______ out by his parents for breaking the window.
FAQs
- Q: Is “chew sb out” formal?
A: No, it is informal and used mostly in casual speech. - Q: Can I use “chew sb out” in writing?
A: It is best for informal writing, like emails or stories, not formal documents. - Q: What does “sb” mean in “chew sb out”?
A: “Sb” means “somebody” or the person being scolded. - Q: Is “chew out” separable?
A: Yes, you can place the object between “chew” and “out” or after the phrase. - Q: Are there other ways to say “chew sb out”?
A: Yes, you can say “tell off,” “scold,” or “reprimand.”
