beat someone round the ears

Meanings:

• 1.

  British EnglishIrish EnglishCommonwealth Englishinformal
  • To strike someone repeatedly, especially about the head or ears; to give a physical thrashing.

• 2.

  British EnglishIrish Englishinformal
  • To chastise, reprimand, or criticize someone severely; to give someone a harsh verbal or metaphorical beating.