1. a severe punishment in which a person is dragged under the keel of a ship as a form of torture or execution
Usage: nautical; historical; also spelled 'keel-hauling'

1. to subject someone to keelhaling; to drag under a ship's keel
Usage: nautical; historical; also spelled 'keel-haul'
2. to criticize or reprimand someone severely
Usage: figurative; informal

Examples

• Keelhaling was a brutal naval punishment used in the 17th and 18th centuries.
• The captain ordered the mutineer to be keelhaled as punishment for his crime.
• The coach keelhaled the team for their poor performance in the championship game.
• Sailors feared keelhaling more than almost any other form of discipline aboard ship.
• The captain was keelhaled by the media for his controversial decision.
• Historical records describe keelhaling as one of the most severe maritime punishments.