houspiller
French → English
(speech) To scold: to criticize, reprimand, or mock someone with malice or bitterness; to badger
Elle s'amuse à houspiller sa camarade qui ne sait pas comment se défendre verbalement.
(English) She enjoys scolding her classmate who doesn't know how to defend herself verbally.
Le directeur a bien été houspillé dans le dernier pamphlet publié par le syndicat.
(English) The director was soundly scolded in the latest pamphlet published by the union.
(physical) To rough up: to shake, pull, or handle someone roughly during a dispute or game; to jostle
Les gamins se houspillent dans le préau de l'école en attendant le début des cours.
(English) The kids are roughing each other up in the school courtyard while waiting for classes to start.
Le prince le houspillait par l'épaule comme s'il s'agissait d'un simple soldat.
(English) The prince was jostling him by the shoulder as if he were a common soldier.
Entry ID: fr:en:houspiller · Source: refined · Type: vocabulary