harsh words and stern expression; be scathingly critical
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesidiom
harsh words and a stern expression; to scold or speak angrily
formalDescribes someone speaking in a sharp, impatient, and severe manner, typically when angry or reprimanding someone. Often implies a loss of temper.
Tā他
píng平
shí时
hěn很
wēn温
hé和
，
dàn但
kàn看
dào到
hái孩
zi子
sā撒
huǎng谎
shí时
，
lì立
jí即
jí疾
yán言
lì厉
sè色
dì地
pī批
píng评
tā他
。
He is usually very gentle, but when he saw the child lying, he immediately criticized him with harsh words and a stern expression.
Zhè这
wèi位
jīng经
lǐ理
hěn很
shǎo少
duì对
xià下
shǔ属
jí疾
yán言
lì厉
sè色
，
zǒng总
shì是
nài耐
xīn心
zhǐ指
dǎo导
。
This manager rarely speaks harshly to his subordinates and always guides them patiently.
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Miàn面
duì对
lǎo老
shī师
de的
jí疾
yán言
lì厉
sè色
，
tā他
xiū羞
kuì愧
dì地
dī低
xià下
le了
tóu头
。
Facing the teacher's stern rebuke, he lowered his head in shame.
Huì会
yì议
shàng上
，
shuāng双
fāng方
dài代
biǎo表
zhēng争
lùn论
jī激
liè烈
，
jī几
hū乎
dào到
le了
jí疾
yán言
lì厉
sè色
de的
dì地
bù步
。
At the meeting, representatives from both sides argued intensely, almost to the point of using harsh words and severe expressions.