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ream out

C1 slang separable transitive
In simple words

To shout at someone very angrily and tell them off in a harsh or humiliating way.

Literal meaning: To use a reamer (a tool) to widen or clean out a hole in metal or other material.

Meanings

1 C1 idiomatic slang

(Informal, American) To scold or reprimand someone harshly and severely.

"The sergeant reamed out the recruits for their careless mistake during the drill."

Grammar: separable
2 C1 neutral

(Technical) To enlarge, smooth, or clean out a hole using a reamer or similar tool.

"The plumber reamed out the pipe to remove the build-up of sediment blocking it."

Grammar: separable
Usage notes

Primarily American English. Considered vulgar in origin and tone. Used in informal speech when someone has been harshly reprimanded. The object (the person being scolded) comes between or after: 'ream him out' or 'ream out the whole team'. Also has a literal mechanical sense (to enlarge a hole).

Commonly used with

boss coach sergeant player employee team

Forms

Base
ream out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
reams out
he/she/it
Past simple
reamed out
yesterday
Past participle
reamed out
have + pp
-ing form
reaming out
continuous

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Synonyms

chew out bawl out tear a strip off dress down lambaste scold

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