1
general::
Phrase(s): rake someone over the coals [and] haul someone over the coals
Fig. to give someone a severe scolding. • My mother hauled me over the coals for coming in late last night. • The manager raked me over the coals for being late again.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs
2
general::
Also, haul over the coals. Reprimand severely, as in When Dad finds out about the damage to the car, he's sure to rake Peter over the coals, or The coach hauled him over the coals for missing practice. These terms allude to the medieval torture of pulling a heretic over red-hot coals. [Early 1800s]
American Heritage Idioms