lay into

British  

verb

1. to attack forcefully

2. to berate severely

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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 .

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Example Sentences

"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

He had his players’ back after those final two plays, laying into the officials.

From Washington Post