earwigging

British  

/ ˈɪəˌwɪɡɪŋ /

noun

1. informal a scolding or harangue

   I'll give him an earwigging about that

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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.

From 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".

From 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.

From The Guardian

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

From The Guardian

If the tabloids are outraged, well, maybe they shouldn't have been earwigging while the grown-ups were talking.

From The Guardian