To haul over the coals

To haul over the coals
Coal Coal (k[=o]l), n. [AS. col; akin to D. kool, OHG. chol, cholo, G. kohle, Icel. kol, pl., Sw. kol, Dan. kul; cf. Skr. jval to burn. Cf. {Kiln}, {Collier}.] 1. A thoroughly charred, and extinguished or still ignited, fragment from wood or other combustible substance; charcoal. [1913 Webster]

2. (Min.) A black, or brownish black, solid, combustible substance, dug from beds or veins in the earth to be used for fuel, and consisting, like charcoal, mainly of carbon, but more compact, and often affording, when heated, a large amount of volatile matter. [1913 Webster]

Note: This word is often used adjectively, or as the first part of self-explaining compounds; as, coal-black; coal formation; coal scuttle; coal ship. etc. [1913 Webster]

Note: In England the plural coals is used, for the broken mineral coal burned in grates, etc.; as, to put coals on the fire. In the United States the singular in a collective sense is the customary usage; as, a hod of coal. [1913 Webster]

{Age of coal plants}. See {Age of Acrogens}, under {Acrogen}.

{Anthracite} or {Glance coal}. See {Anthracite}.

{Bituminous coal}. See under {Bituminous}.

{Blind coal}. See under {Blind}.

{Brown coal} or {Brown Lignite}. See {Lignite}.

{Caking coal}, a bituminous coal, which softens and becomes pasty or semi-viscid when heated. On increasing the heat, the volatile products are driven off, and a coherent, grayish black, cellular mass of coke is left.

{Cannel coal}, a very compact bituminous coal, of fine texture and dull luster. See {Cannel coal}.

{Coal bed} (Geol.), a layer or stratum of mineral coal.

{Coal breaker}, a structure including machines and machinery adapted for crushing, cleansing, and assorting coal.

{Coal field} (Geol.), a region in which deposits of coal occur. Such regions have often a basinlike structure, and are hence called {coal basins}. See {Basin}.

{Coal gas}, a variety of carbureted hydrogen, procured from bituminous coal, used in lighting streets, houses, etc., and for cooking and heating.

{Coal heaver}, a man employed in carrying coal, and esp. in putting it in, and discharging it from, ships.

{Coal measures}. (Geol.) (a) Strata of coal with the attendant rocks. (b) A subdivision of the carboniferous formation, between the millstone grit below and the Permian formation above, and including nearly all the workable coal beds of the world.

{Coal oil}, a general name for mineral oils; petroleum.

{Coal plant} (Geol.), one of the remains or impressions of plants found in the strata of the coal formation.

{Coal tar}. See in the Vocabulary.

{To haul over the coals}, to call to account; to scold or censure. [Colloq.]

{Wood coal}. See {Lignite}. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • haul over the coals — see under ↑coal • • • Main Entry: ↑haul * * * haul over the coals see ↑coal • • • Main Entry: ↑haul …   Useful english dictionary

  • haul over the coals — Ⅰ. ► haul over the coals reprimand severely. Main Entry: ↑coal Ⅱ. ► haul over the coals see COAL(Cf. ↑coaly). Main Entry: ↑haul …   English terms dictionary

  • haul\ over\ the\ coals — • haul over the coals • rake over the coals v. phr. To criticize sharply; rebuke; scold. The sergeant raked the soldier over the coals for being late for roll call. Syn.: dress down …   Словарь американских идиом

  • To haul over the coals — Haul Haul (h[add]l), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Hauled} (h[add]ld); p. pr. & vb. n. {Hauling}.] [OE. halen, halien, F. haler, of German or Scand. origin; akin to AS. geholian to acquire, get, D. halen to fetch, pull, draw, OHG. hol[=o]n, hal[=o]n, G.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • haul over the coals — drag/haul (someone) over the coals to speak angrily to someone because they have done something wrong. If I make a spelling mistake, I get hauled over the coals by my boss. They dragged her over the coals for being late with her assignment.… …   New idioms dictionary

  • haul over the coals — or[rake over the coals] {v. phr.} To criticize sharply; rebuke; scold. * /The sergeant raked the soldier over the coals for being late for roll call./ Syn.: DRESS DOWN …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • haul over the coals — or[rake over the coals] {v. phr.} To criticize sharply; rebuke; scold. * /The sergeant raked the soldier over the coals for being late for roll call./ Syn.: DRESS DOWN …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • rake or haul over the coals — idi rake or haul over the coals, to reprimand severely …   From formal English to slang

  • haul sb over the coals — US also rake sb over the coals) ► to criticize someone severely for something they have done: »Top ministers were hauled over the coals by the select committee for failing to disclose vital information in the inquiry. Main Entry: ↑haul …   Financial and business terms

  • haul somebody over the coals — haul sb over the ˈcoals idiom (BrE) (NAmE rake sb over the ˈcoals) to criticize sb severely because they have done sth wrong • I was hauled over the coals by my boss for being late. Main e …   Useful english dictionary

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