tear a strip off someone

tear a strip off (someone)

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

tear a strip off someone

or

tear someone off a strip

BRITISHIf you tear a strip off someone or tear them off a strip, you speak angrily to them, because they have done something wrong. He heard Nora tearing a strip off a member of staff for not returning the food bins to the kitchen soon enough. The headmaster tore me off a strip for being late.See also: off, someone, strip, tear