earful

Thân thiện

The manager gave the intern an earful for the missed deadline.

Definition

Noun 1. A severe scolding or reprimand: A lengthy, forceful, and often angry verbal criticism or telling-off. 2. An outpouring of gossip or information: A large amount of talk, especially of news, rumors, or private details, often shared in a torrent.

Usage and Examples

• Noun (Scolding):
  • He got an earful from his boss for missing the deadline.
  • If you come home late again, you'll get an earful from your mother.
• Noun (Gossip/Information):
  • She gave me an earful about all the office drama.
  • I called my friend and got an earful about her vacation.

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• The word is informal and often used in spoken English.
• It implies the information or scolding is delivered in a concentrated, forceful, or overwhelming manner. The listener is metaphorically filled up to the ear with it.
• It is commonly used with verbs like get, give, or receive.

Variants and Related Words

• Ear-bashing (noun, informal): Similar to "earful," meaning a lengthy and forceful scolding or talking-to.
  • He gave me a real ear-bashing about my driving.

Synonyms

• For a scolding: Telling-off, reprimand, lecture, dressing-down, tongue-lashing.
• For gossip/information: Lowdown, gossip, news, details, scoop (informal).

Related Idioms and Phrases

• To give someone a piece of your mind: To express your anger or disapproval directly and forcefully to someone (similar to giving an "earful" as a scolding).
  • I'm going to give him a piece of my mind when I see him.
• To bend someone's ear: To talk to someone for a long time, especially about your problems or opinions.
  • She bent my ear for an hour about her neighbor.

Học thuật

Noun

1. a severe scolding
2. an outpouring of gossip

Từ đồng nghĩa

• castigation
• bawling out
• chewing out
• upbraiding
• going-over
• dressing down