call on the carpet

Verb

• censure severely or angrily
  • The mother scolded the child for entering a stranger's car
    
  • The deputy ragged the Prime Minister
    
  • The customer dressed down the waiter for bringing cold soup
    

Related words

• Synonyms: 
  take to task , rebuke , rag , trounce , reproof , lecture , reprimand , jaw , dress down , call down , scold , chide , berate , bawl out