1. to criticize or punish someone severely
Usage: informal
2. to drag someone under the keel of a ship as punishment
Usage: nautical; historical

Examples

• The coach keelhauled the team after their poor performance.
• She was keelhauled by her boss for missing the deadline.
• The captain threatened to keelhaul any sailor who disobeyed orders.
• Critics keelhauled the movie for its poor plot.
• The committee keelhauled the proposal during the meeting.
• Pirates would keelhaul prisoners as a form of torture.
• The press keelhauled the politician over the scandal.