chid
Definition
- Verb (past tense of ):
- To scold or rebuke: "chid" means to express disapproval of someone's actions, often in a mild or gentle manner. It is the simple past tense form of "chide."
- To reprove: To criticize or find fault with someone, typically in a corrective rather than harsh way.
Usage Examples
- (She gently scolded him for his tardiness.)
- (The teacher expressed mild disapproval.)
- (He reproached himself internally.)
Advanced Usage
- "chid" as literary or formal usage: This form is less common in modern spoken English, often appearing in older texts or formal writing.
- The king chid his courtiers for their lack of loyalty. (He rebuked them in a formal, authoritative manner.)
- "to chid" with a direct object: The verb can be used transitively, meaning it requires an object (the person being scolded).
- She chid the children harshly. (She reproved them with severity.)
Variants and Related Words
- Chide (verb, base form): the present tense of "chid."
- I chide you for your carelessness. (I scold you now.)
- Chidden (past participle): the form used with auxiliary verbs.
- He has chidden the team for their mistakes. (He has rebuked them.)
- Chiding (present participle/gerund): the action of scolding.
- Her constant chiding annoyed the staff. (Her frequent scolding was irritating.)
Synonyms
- Scold: to angrily criticize someone.
- Rebuke: to express sharp disapproval.
- Reprimand: to formally or officially scold.
- Admonish: to warn or gently correct someone.
Phrasal Verbs
- Chide away: to dismiss or drive someone off by scolding.
- The old man chid away the noisy children from his garden. (He scolded them until they left.)
- Chide out: to scold someone thoroughly.
- She chid him out for his rude behavior. (She scolded him extensively.)
Related Idioms
- Chid with a soft tongue: to rebuke gently.
- Though he was angry, he chid with a soft tongue, not wanting to hurt her feelings. (He scolded mildly.)
- Chid to silence: to scold someone into being quiet.
- The teacher chid the class to silence before the exam. (She scolded them until they stopped talking.)