de oren wassen
Dutch
editEtymology
editLiterally, “to wash [someone's] ears”. This etymology is incomplete. You can help Wiktionary by elaborating on the origins of this term.
Verb
edit- (idiomatic, with indirect object) to rebuke, scold, reprimand severely, put someone in their place
- Synonym: terechtwijzen
- Ze waste de spijbelaar de oren. ― She severely reprimanded the truant.
Conjugation
editConjugation of de oren wassen: see wassen.