Chew someone out

Verbally scold someone.

 The expression became common in the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II, and easily moved to civilian life. When visibly chewing, one's mouth moves a lot, and when a superior chews someone out they presumably use a lot of jaw motion, especially if the chewing out was done loudly. I think the loudness is implied as part of the chewing out. With the emphasis on jaw motion comes the feeling of having been chewed up. One sometimes hears "he chewed me up and then spat me out."

 Ex: I got it wrong so I got chewed out.

 Spanish: echarle la bronca a alguien.

German: jemanden anschnauzen