berate someone for mistakes

Meaning

To scold, criticize, or reprimand someone angrily and at length because of errors they have made. It implies a harsh, loud, or repetitive lecture, often causing embarrassment or distress to the person being scolded.

Examples

• There is no need to berate your employees for minor mistakes; just help them correct them.

  There is no need to berate your employees for minor mistakes; just help them correct them.

• My tennis coach used to berate me for mistakes during practice, which made me want to quit.

  My tennis coach used to berate me for mistakes during practice, which made me want to quit.

• Instead of calmly explaining the issue, he began to berate her for mistakes she didn't even make.

  Instead of calmly explaining the issue, he began to berate her for mistakes she didn't even make.

• Parents should avoid berating children for mistakes, as it can damage their self-esteem.

  Parents should avoid berating children for mistakes, as it can damage their self-esteem.

• I felt terrible watching the manager berate the new cashier for mistakes on her first day.

  I felt terrible watching the manager berate the new cashier for mistakes on her first day.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ The teacher berated to the student for mistakes.

  ✓ The teacher berated the student for mistakes.

  'Berate' is a transitive verb and directly takes an object; do not use 'to' after it.

• ✗ He berated me about my mistakes.

  ✓ He berated me for my mistakes.

  While 'about' is sometimes heard in informal speech, the standard preposition used with 'berate [someone]' to specify the reason is 'for'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• A supportive manager will guide you, not ___ in public.

  💡 Think of an angry, public scolding for doing something wrong.

  Show answer

  berate you for mistakes

• Please don't ___—I did the best I could under the circumstances.

  💡 Use the verb 'berate' with the first-person pronoun 'me' and the reason.

  Show answer

  berate me for mistakes