0898 Rip someone a new one

Explanation

To scold, criticize, or yell at someone very severely and angrily.
The imagery is crude and suggests verbally tearing into someone so harshly it's like creating a new orifice (specifically, a new asshole). It emphasizes the intensity and damaging nature of the verbal attack.

Origin

American slang, likely mid-20th century.
Derived from the vulgar anatomical reference ('asshole' or 'one' as a euphemism).
Rip implies a violent tearing action. The phrase vividly conveys a brutal verbal assault.

Alternatives

Slang/Informal:

Lay into someone.
Light someone up. (Verbally attack intensely)
Go off on someone. (Explode in anger at someone)
Blast someone.

Vulgar/Emphatic:

Tear someone a new asshole. (The explicit version)
Give someone shit. (Criticize or give someone a hard time)
Bitch someone out. (Scold angrily, often seen as gendered but used more broadly)

Milder/More Professional:

Reprimand someone severely.
Express strong disapproval.
Have strong words with someone.
Criticize sharply.

Situational Appropriateness

Highly informal and vulgar.
Describes an intense, angry confrontation.
Use the phrase to *describe* such an event in informal conversation.
Using it *as a threat* (I'll rip you a new one) is extremely aggressive and inappropriate for most situations, especially professional ones.
Avoid in formal contexts entirely.

Misunderstanding Warnings

Learners MUST understand this is highly vulgar and refers to a severe verbal attack, not a physical one, despite the violent imagery.
Explain the connection to asshole to clarify the meaning and vulgarity. Emphasize it should not be used lightly or in polite company.

Examples

When the boss found out about the mistake, he ripped me a new one.
Wait till your father gets home; he's going to rip you a new one for crashing the car!
She completely lost her temper and ripped him a new one in front of everyone.

Dialogue

Friend A: How did your performance review go?

Friend B: Oh man, it was brutal. My boss found out I missed that deadline, and she completely ripped me a new one.

Friend A: Oof, sorry to hear that. That bad?

Friend B: Yeah, I thought I was going to get fired.

Response Patterns

(When receiving the scolding) Silence, submission, defensiveness, tears, anger.
(When hearing about it) Sympathy (Ouch!), agreement (He deserved it), shock (Wow, really?).
(If threatened) Fear, defiance (Try it!).

Common Follow-up Questions/Actions

After someone has been ripped a new one:

They are likely feeling upset, angry, or ashamed.
They might complain about the unfairness or severity of the scolding.
They might need to apologize or fix the mistake that caused it.

After hearing about it:

One might ask for details (What happened?, What did he say?).
One might offer support or commiseration.

Conversation Starter

No. It describes or threatens a severe scolding.

Intonation

Often recounted with emphasis, reflecting the intensity of the event. He RIPPED me a NEW one.
If used as a threat, said with anger. Stress on RIP and NEW ONE. I'm gonna RIP you a NEW ONE!

Generation Differences

More common among adults, particularly those comfortable with vulgar slang. Younger generations understand it but might use different slang like go off on someone.

Regional Variations

Primarily American English in origin and usage, but understood in other regions due to media exposure. Similar concepts exist elsewhere (e.g., give someone a bollocking in the UK).

Have your head on a platter

🎲 Make your life a living hell

[0898] Rip someone a new one