haul over the coals

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Another way of performing the fire ordeal was by running through the flame of two fires built close together, or by walking over live brands; hence the phrase "to haul over the coals."

From General History for Colleges and High Schools by Myers, Philip Van Ness

Explain these phrases: "to be in hot water;" "to go through fire and water;" and "to haul over the coals."

From Early European History by Webster, Hutton