passer un savon

French

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /pa.se œ̃ sa.vɔ̃/, /pɑ.se œ̃ sa.vɔ̃/, (more formal) /pa.se.ʁ‿œ̃ sa.vɔ̃/, (more formal) /pɑ.se.ʁ‿œ̃ sa.vɔ̃/

• Audio

  (file)

Verb

passer un savon

1. (transitive with à) (informal) to tell off, to haul someone over the coals

   Maman m’a passé un de ces savons quand elle a découvert que j’avais cassé son vase, je te dis pas !

   Mum gave me an earful when she found out I'd broken her vase, let me tell you!

Conjugation

• see passer

See also

• remonter les bretelles
• tirer les oreilles