de oren wassen

Dutch

Etymology

Literally, “to wash [someone's] ears”. This etymology is incomplete. You can help Wiktionary by elaborating on the origins of this term.

Verb

de oren wassen

1. (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

Conjugation of de oren wassen: see wassen.

Derived terms

• oorwassing