Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
skin-someone-alive
idiom
/skɪn ˈsʌmwʌn əˈlaɪv/
Definition
To cause someone to be skinned, typically in the context of a punishment or threat.
Examples
- When he realized the mistake he made, he felt his boss would skin him alive.
- If you continue to neglect your duties, you might find the team will skin you alive when it comes time for performance reviews.
Meaning
The phrase ‘skin someone alive’ is often used figuratively to mean to severely criticize or punish someone. It originated from classic tales where being skinned alive was considered a severe penalty.
Synonyms
- severe criticism
- bitter reproach
- harsh punishment
