nail to a cross

nail (one) to a cross

To punish, berate, or hurt one in a very severe fashion for a wrongdoing or transgression. The media is going to nail us to a cross if this leaks to the public. The boss nailed me to a cross for messing up the Jacobson account. She said she was making it her personal mission to nail every drug dealer in the city to a cross during her time in office.

See also: cross, nail, to

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

nail someone to a cross

 and nail someone('s hide) to the wall

Fig. to punish or scold someone severely. (Literally, to crucify someone or to nail someone's skin to the wall like that of a captured animal.) That guy was really mad. He really nailed you to a cross. She must hate your guts. She sure nailed your hide to the wall.

See also: cross, nail, to

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.