Phrase guide

give someone an earful

verb · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To scold someone loudly.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, informal

Examples

  • I should never have tried to grind the computer system to a halt. Firstly I got sacked, and then my boss gave me a right earful.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

1 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Māori: kaikai i ana/ōna taringa — to scold someone loudly