1 B2 idiomatic informal
To attack someone physically with force and aggression.
"The older boy laced into him without any warning."
inseparable
lace into
B2 informal inseparable transitive
To attack someone physically or verbally with great force and energy.
In plain English
To hit someone hard, or to criticise someone very strongly.
What does "lace into" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic informal
To criticise or scold someone angrily and very forcefully.
"The manager laced into the team after their dismal performance in the first half."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
'Lace' originally meant to beat or thrash, so 'lace into someone' literally meant to whip or beat them forcefully.
Actually means
To hit someone hard, or to criticise someone very strongly.
Usage tip
Used for both physical attacks and verbal criticism. The verbal sense (criticising someone harshly) is the more common modern use. 'Lay into' is a more widely known alternative. Mostly British and Australian English.
Words that pair with "lace into"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
critic opponent politician performance government rival
How to conjugate "lace into"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
lace into
I/you/we/they
3rd person
laces into
he/she/it
Past simple
laced into
yesterday
Past participle
laced into
have + pp
-ing form
lacing into
continuous
Hear "lace into" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "lace into" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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