Browse all

bless out

C1 informal separable transitive
In simple words

To yell at someone or tell them off very angrily — used mainly in the southern United States.

Meanings

1 C1 idiomatic informal

To scold or reprimand someone very harshly (chiefly Southern American English).

"Grandma blessed him out good when she found out he'd lied about where he was going."

Grammar: separable
Usage notes

Distinctly Southern American English dialect. The contrast between 'bless' (positive) and the harsh meaning (to scold) is an example of regional euphemistic inversion — likely arising from expressions like 'bless your heart' used ironically. Not widely understood outside the American South. Learners should recognise it but use 'tell off' or 'chew out' in most contexts.

Commonly used with

coach parent boss teacher publicly thoroughly

Forms

Base
bless out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
blesses out
he/she/it
Past simple
blessed out
yesterday
Past participle
blessed out
have + pp
-ing form
blessing out
continuous

Understand "bless out" better

Try:

Real video examples

Video examples are being collected. Check back soon.

Want to master this phrasal verb?

Practice "bless out" on Looplines