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Glite Dictionary
piece of someone's mind

piece of someone's mind

23 7.5
Tell someone angrily that you are unhappy with them
  • idiom
  • Informal
: decirle a alguien lo que piensa
  • After he insulted my work, I was ready to give him a piece of my mind.

Examples

Synonyms

to spit
vspiece of someone's mind
  • Informal
173 6.3

To say words quickly and angrily to show strong dislike

is more about direct angry criticism than general contempt
to lash out
vspiece of someone's mind
78 5.6

Suddenly say angry things about someone by speaking or writing

is similar but can be planned or deliberate rather than sudden
to mouth off
vspiece of someone's mind
  • Informal
36 8.3

To speak rudely and loudly to a person in charge

expresses direct angry criticism rather than general rudeness
to chew out
vspiece of someone's mind
  • Informal
25 7.0

Scold someone angrily in front of others

is similar but often somewhat more blunt than formal reprimand
to rip someone's head off
vspiece of someone's mind
  • Offensive
22 8.5

Shout at someone in a very angry way and threaten them

is similar but emphasizes blunt spoken disapproval rather than threats
to lambast
vspiece of someone's mind
11 8.2

To criticize someone very strongly and angrily

focuses more on blunt personal disapproval than long criticism
to chew up
vspiece of someone's mind
  • Informal
10 7.1

To scold someone angrily and severely

is equally angry but sometimes more about blunt personal disapproval
to harangue
vspiece of someone's mind
9 8.9

To speak angrily to someone for a long time

is usually shorter and more to the point rather than long
to mince no words
vspiece of someone's mind
  • Informal
1 7.7

Speak very directly without trying to be polite

is similar but adds clear angry disapproval rather than just bluntness
to call down
vspiece of someone's mind
  • Informal
1 6.8

Tell someone angrily that they did something wrong

is similar but tends to be more about blunt spoken disapproval
to bite out
vspiece of someone's mind
  • Informal
1 7.5

Say something suddenly and sharply when angry or annoyed

is similar but can be longer and more focused on disapproval
to hit out at
vspiece of someone's mind
  • UK
1 6.7

To criticize someone or something strongly in public

is similar but usually aimed at a person directly rather than publicly
to tear (someone) a new one
vspiece of someone's mind
  • Offensive
1 9.9

To scold someone angrily

shares harsh anger but can be less aggressive in wording
to spit poison
vspiece of someone's mind
  • Informal
1 7.9

Say very angry, hurtful things to someone to hurt them

is similar but often less focused on malice and more on disapproval
to snap someone's head off
vspiece of someone's mind
  • Offensive
1 8.0

To speak to someone in a sudden angry way without good reason

is similar but more focused on expressing disapproval than snap reaction
to eat someone's head off
vspiece of someone's mind
  • Informal
1 9.1

To speak angrily to someone and criticize them

is the same angry speech but can be less explosive
to vituperate
vspiece of someone's mind
  • Offensive
1 9.9

To criticize someone angrily using harsh words

is equally harsh but often more about personal disapproval
to let him have it
vspiece of someone's mind
  • Informal
1 8.1

To tell someone angrily that they did something wrong

is similar but may be more blunt than intentionally cutting
to speak with venom
vspiece of someone's mind
1 7.8

Say angry, cruel things about someone

is angry too but can be more blunt than spiteful
to give (someone) a piece of one's mind
vspiece of someone's mind
  • Informal
7.5

Tell someone angrily that you are upset with them

is the same idea but in a shorter conversational form
to clapperclaw
vspiece of someone's mind
  • Offensive
9.9

To attack someone with angry words

is similar but often focuses on direct disapproval rather than general abuse
to put the miller's eye out
vspiece of someone's mind
  • UK
9.9

To say something sharp to hurt or criticize someone

is blunt and angry but not always aimed to wound sharply

Antonyms

compliment
300 1.6

A polite remark that praises someone or something

praise
220 1.0

Words or actions that show admiration for someone

How Angry

to berate
36 7.2
piece of someone's mind
  • Informal
23 7.5
to tell off
  • Informal
20 4.2
to complain
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

piece of someone's mind singular
pieces of someone's mind plural

Morphology

piece + of + someone's + mind

The constituents 'piece' + 'of' + 'someone's' + 'mind' transparently suggest giving a portion of a person's thoughts or opinions, so a learner might infer a communicative act. However, the specific idiomatic sense of angrily or bluntly reprimanding someone (telling them off) and the forceful evaluative nuance are not directly predictable from the parts and rely on metaphorical/idiomatic usage, so it is only partially transparent.

Etymology

Piece of someone's mind may come from the image of taking a piece of your mind and handing it to someone, like giving them your honest thoughts. That's why it means 'to speak angrily or bluntly' or 'to tell someone off'.