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Glite Dictionary
to lace into

to lace into

8.5
Criticize or attack someone strongly
  • phrasal verb
  • NSFW
translation icon : atacar
  • Don't lace into him without knowing the facts!

Examples

  • The coach really laced into the team after their poor performance.

  • During the debate, the senator laced into his opponent's policies with fierce criticism.

  • He suddenly laced into his opponent with a series of punches.

  • The critic laced into the film, calling it a waste of time.

  • The critics laced into the new movie harshly.

  • After the performance, the critic laced into the director for his poor choices in casting.

  • She laced into her friend for being late, leaving no room for excuses.

Synonyms

to whip
vsto lace into
133 4.4

To hit something with a long thin object or move it quickly and forcefully

is about verbal or violent attack rather than physical striking alone
to lash out
vsto lace into
71 5.6

Suddenly say angry things about someone by speaking or writing

is similar but denotes planned or forceful action rather than suddenness
to assault
vsto lace into
29 5.8

To attack someone strongly in speech or writing

is similar but often used for especially violent or aggressive attacks
to assail
vsto lace into
  • Formal
16 8.0

To attack violently, upset someone deeply or criticize them strongly

matches force but is specifically about criticizing rather than any attack
to lambast
vsto lace into
12 8.2

To criticize someone very strongly and angrily

is similar but may emphasize physical or violent imagery more
to tear into
vsto lace into
  • Informal
4 7.4

To attack or criticize someone strongly

is similar but focuses on forceful action rather than energy level
to upbraid
vsto lace into
  • Formal
3 8.8

To scold someone strongly for something they did wrong

is less formal and stresses physical or violent force in attack
to sting like a bee
vsto lace into
  • Informal
3 7.7

To say something that hurts someone suddenly and sharply

is similar but stresses overall forceful or violent action rather than sharpness
to lay into
vsto lace into
  • Informal
3 7.2

Use angry words to criticize someone strongly

is about strong attack but not necessarily sustained or fierce throughout
to tear (someone) a new one
vsto lace into
  • Offensive
2 9.9

To scold someone angrily

is about forceful attack or criticism in general rather than pure reprimand
to chew up
vsto lace into
  • Informal
2 7.1

To scold someone angrily and severely

is broader, including forceful attacks beyond scolding or spoken rebuke
to rip someone's head off
vsto lace into
  • Offensive
1 8.5

Shout at someone in a very angry way and threaten them

is about attacking or criticizing forcefully, not only reactive anger
to lacerate
vsto lace into
1 7.6

To deeply hurt someone's feelings

is about forceful attack or criticism, not only causing emotional pain
to vituperate
vsto lace into
  • Offensive
9.9

To criticize someone angrily using harsh words

is more about forceful or violent attack, not only abusive language
to pitch into
vsto lace into
  • NSFW
7.8

To attack someone with your body or with strong words

is focused on criticism specifically rather than physical violence
to snap someone's head off
vsto lace into
  • Offensive
8.0

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

is aimed at forceful attack whether planned or unreasonable
to clapperclaw
vsto lace into
  • Offensive
9.9

To attack someone with angry words

is broader and can include physical or nonverbal violent attack
to lapidate
vsto lace into
  • NSFW
9.9

To attack someone harshly with words, often in writing

is similar but can imply literal stoning imagery not needed here
to throw brickbats
vsto lace into
  • Literature
8.9

Attack someone with strong words in public

is similar but does not require public or published context
to put one's foot in someone's ass
vsto lace into
  • Offensive
9.9

To yell at or threaten someone to make them try harder

is about forceful attack or criticism without vulgar or threatening tone

Antonyms

to defend
∞ 1.3

To protect people and things from attack or harm

praise
161 1.0

Words or actions that show admiration for someone

How Harsh

to lambaste
1 8.0
to rip into
  • Informal
4 7.4
to lace into
  • NSFW
8.5
rebuke
22 6.8
to criticize
701 3.3
to chide
22 7.0

Surface Forms

lace into infinitive
laced into past
laced into past participle
lacing into present participle
laces into third person singular

Morphology

lace + into

The sense 'to attack or criticize forcefully' cannot be derived from the literal meanings of 'lace' (e.g., to fasten or to add alcohol) plus the directional particle 'into'. Neither constituent signals aggression, so a B1 learner who knows the individual words would not predict this idiomatic usage without prior exposure. The phrase is therefore idiomatic and unpredictable from its parts.

Etymology

Lace into may come from the old image of 'lacing' someone with blows — hitting them quickly and hard, like threading strikes into a person. That's why lace into means 'to attack or criticize someone forcefully'.