the rough side of (one's) tongue
(redirected from the rough side of their tongues)the rough side of (one's) tongue
A harsh scolding or rebuke; a verbal lashing. The teacher gave us the rough side of her tongue after she caught us reading comics in the back of class. I know you feel they deserve the rough side of your tongue at times, but you need to show some restraint or you're going to lose their respect.