ALL meanings of haul over the coals
coal
H h - noun haul over the coals a black or dark-brown combustible mineral substance consisting of carbonized vegetable matter, used as a fuel. Compare anthracite, bituminous coal, lignite. 1
- noun haul over the coals a piece of glowing, charred, or burned wood or other combustible substance. 1
- noun haul over the coals charcoal (def 1). 1
- verb with object haul over the coals to burn to coal or charcoal. 1
- verb with object haul over the coals to provide with coal. 1
- verb without object haul over the coals to take in coal for fuel. 1
- idioms haul over the coals heap coals of fire on someone's head, to repay evil with good in order to make one's enemy repent. 1
- idioms haul over the coals rake / haul / drag / call / take over the coals, to reprimand; scold: They were raked over the coals for turning out slipshod work. 1
- noun haul over the coals to criticize sharply; censure; scold 0