earwigging

/ ˈɪəˌwɪɡɪŋ /

noun

1. informal,  a scolding or harangue

   I'll give him an earwigging about that

Example Sentences

“The thought of Piers Morgan and his band of journalists earwigging into my mother’s private and sensitive messages … three months prior to her death in Paris, makes me feel physically sick,” Harry wrote.

Read more on Seattle Times

He said the thought of Piers Morgan and his "band of journalists earwigging" into my mother's messages "makes me feel physically sick and even more determined to hold those responsible, including Mr Morgan, accountable for their vile and entirely unjustified behaviour".

Read more on Reuters

This warm podcast often feels like earwigging on a conversation between two mates, with recent guests including Search Party’s Alia Shawkat, Bad Feminist author Roxane Gay and Drag Race contestant-turned-comedian Trixie Mattel.

Read more on The Guardian

It's bad enough hearing that little Fred has the reading level of a gerbil without everyone else smugly earwigging.

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It makes for some deeply uncomfortable gameplay, with servants correcting their speech to seem less intelligent when they notice Booker earwigging, and a thread of prejudice running through the Columbians’ conversations.

Read more on Forbes