lay into

British  

verb

1. to attack forcefully

2. to berate severely

---

lay into Idioms  

1. Attack physically, The boys ganged up and laid into Bobby .

2. Scold vigorously, as in The teacher laid into her aide when she learned he had left the children alone in the schoolyard . [Early 1800s] Also see pitch into .

---

Example Sentences

Watching the former supermodel lay into the young hopeful in front of millions of viewers still ranks as one of the show's most shocking moments, 20 years later.

From BBC

"It was disappointing at best, hearing their lack of self-awareness, their lack of self-reflection," Sellers said, laying into the staffers for a lack of clear messaging and for covering up flagging numbers.

From Salon

But instead of continuing to lay into the Directors Guild of America members, Kimmel praised, the below-the-line workers who stood with their guilds, bringing a group onstage to be applauded.

From Salon

It is reasonable to wonder how long Ramsay can keep going like this — will he still be laying into amateur cooks or aiding ailing restaurants when he’s 75?

From New York Times

At this they lay into him: Kendall lists Logan's other grave sins.

From Salon