tear a strip off (someone)
To scold, upbraid, or rebuke someone very severely, as for an error or wrongdoing. The teacher really tore a strip off me for causing a disruption in class again.
tear a strip off someone
or tear someone off a strip
BRITISHIf you tear a strip off someone or tear them off a strip, you speak angrily to them, because they have done something wrong. He heard Nora tearing a strip off a member of staff for not returning the food bins to the kitchen soon enough. The headmaster tore me off a strip for being late.