tear somebody off a strip

tear someone off a strip

To scold, upbraid, or rebuke someone very severely, as for an error or wrongdoing. The teacher really tore me off a strip for causing a disruption in class again.See also: off, someone, strip, tear

tear somebody ˈoff a strip

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tear a ˈstrip off somebody

(British English, informal) criticize somebody because you are angry about something they have said or done: The boss tore all the staff off a strip for using the Internet for personal matters during office hours.See also: off, somebody, strip, tear