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to read

to read

25 8.9
To criticize or insult someone sharply, often in public
  • verb
  • /rɛd/
  • Offensive
translation icon : poner a parir
  • I had your ass read at the parking lot.
  • read the riot act
  • get read

Examples

  • Please, anyone else reading this post, take a look at what kind of idiot this guy is.

    Blog text (13)
  • Next time, say what you want to so I don't have to read your angry shit!

    Blog text (5)
  • But the comments were reading me because they were like girl what?

  • I mean yeah you are dude, read the fucking room.

  • I'm reading you like a book.

  • I read you loud and clear, sweetie.

  • Reading you like a menu, son.

  • Frankly, that is the best insult I have ever read in my life.

    Blog text (2)
  • You really are the dumbest person I've ever read here on this blog, and that includes Kenny.

    Blog text (4)
  • When he heard my critique, he quickly realized I was about to read him for his careless mistakes.

Synonyms

to read to filth
vsto read
  • Offensive
9.9

Strongly insult someone in front of others to embarrass them

is sharper and more witty rather than purely a ruthless attack
every name in the book
vsto read
  • Informal
8.6

To call someone many rude names

focuses on many insults in anger rather than witty fault pointing

Antonyms

342 1.6

A polite remark that praises someone or something

161 1.0

Words or actions that show admiration for someone

Idioms

24 4.1

To understand what someone means without them saying it directly

to read the room
  • Informal
2 5.3

To notice how people in a group feel and act and change what you say or do

1 7.9

To scold someone strongly and warn them of punishment

1 8.7

Prepared while someone speaks the words and not checked by the writer, often containing mistakes

9.9

To act in a way that seems foolish or crazy to other people

8.1

To look at the slope and surface of a golf green to decide how to hit a putt

Phrasal Verbs

to read mind
  • Informal
69 7.7

To know what another person is thinking without them saying it

34 2.5

To say words from a written text so others can hear

to read my mind
  • Informal
23 6.0

To know what someone is thinking without them saying it

11 5.7

To understand what someone says by watching their lips

to read out
  • Specialized
1 3.4

To show measured values from a device on a screen

Play music by following the written notes on the page

To read every page of a book or magazine from start to finish

To understand what a woman says by watching her lips move

to read to filth
  • Offensive
9.9

Strongly insult someone in front of others to embarrass them

Compounds

10 3.7

A book or article that people say everyone should read

4 1.2

A short, easy book or article you can read quickly

read-out
  • Specialized
1 5.4

An electronic screen that shows numbers and text

read-only memory
  • Specialized
1 4.4

A small computer chip that holds information you can use but cannot change

A CD for computers that holds data you cannot change

A chip you clear with ultraviolet light and then write new information on it

Read method
  • Archaic
7.5

A way of natural childbirth that uses education and breathing to reduce pain and help you relax

A way of giving birth that treats labor as normal and uses teaching, breathing, and relaxation to reduce pain

read-only file
  • Specialized
3.9

A file you can open and view but cannot change or delete

read-only memory chip
  • Specialized
3.7

A small computer chip that stores data you cannot change

read-only storage
  • Specialized
4.3

A part of a computer where information can be looked at but not changed

How Harsh

to humiliate
  • Offensive
414 6.1
to read
  • Offensive
25 8.9
to mock
  • Offensive
209 3.4
to criticize
701 3.3
to tease
245 1.9

Surface Forms

read infinitive
reading present participle
reads third person singular
read past
read past participle

Etymology

A helpful way to remember the slang sense of read ('to criticize sharply') is to think of 'reading someone like a book' and pointing out their faults aloud.