keelhauling
/ˈkiːlˌhɔlɪŋ/
noun
- A severe punishment in which a person is dragged under a ship's keel, often used historically as a naval discipline.
- Stories of keelhauling terrified the new recruits.
- The captain ordered keelhauling for the mutinous sailor.
- Keelhauling was a brutal punishment in the old sailing navies.
- A harsh scolding or severe criticism (figurative).
- The manager gave the team a real keelhauling after the failed project.
- The newspaper editorial was a keelhauling of the mayor's policies.
- She got a keelhauling from her parents for staying out too late.
Synonyms