To tear sb. a new one?

Posted by Pamela on June 09, 2006

In Reply to: To tear sb. a new one? posted by Noein on June 09, 2006

: does anyone know this:to tear sb. a new one?and what does it mean?
: thank you for your help!

I've only heard the first part "to tear sb", meaning to vigorously criticise someone (often behind their back). I think it comes from "tearing strips off someone". But this doesn't make sense in the context of "to tear sb a new one". Pamela