haul someone over the coals Definition

coal
noun

1. A hard brittle carbonaceous rock, usually black or brown in colour, formed by the compaction of partially decomposed plant material and used as a fuel.
2. A piece of this.

verb

tr & intr
coaled, coaling
1. To take in or provide with coal.

Idiom: coals to Newcastle

Something brought to a place where it is already plentiful.

Idiom: haul someone over the coals

colloq
To scold them severely.

Idiom: heap coals of fire on someone's head

To make them feel guilty by repaying evil with good.

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon col.

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haul
verb hauled, hauling

tr & intr
1. To pull with great effort or difficulty.

Thesaurus: drag, pull, tug, lug, draw, heave, cart, tow.
2. To transport by road, eg in a lorry.

Thesaurus: carry, convey, move, tow, transport.
3. naut.
To alter the course of a vessel, especially so as to sail closer to the wind.
intr
4. naut.
Said of the wind: to blow from a direction nearer the bow of a vessel.

noun

1. The distance to be travelled.

Example: Just a short haul now over the mountains
Example: It's a long haul to Sydney
2. The act of dragging something with effort or difficulty.

Thesaurus: pull, wrench, tug, lift, drag, heave.
3. The amount gained at any one time, eg the amount of fish caught in a single net or of something stolen.

Thesaurus: loot, booty, catch, find, gain, harvest, spoils, takings, yield.
4. Something that is hauled.
5. The amount of contraband seized at any one time.

Example: drugs haul

Derivative: hauler
noun

Idiom: haul someone over the coals

See under coal.

Derivative: long haul

See separate entry.

Etymology: 16c: from French haler to drag.

Phrasal Verb: haul up

To sail a vessel closer to the wind.

Phrasal Verb: haul someone up

To call them to account (before a court, judge, etc).