dressing-down

Examples

• All

• I was, in fact, crowing over the success of that dressing down, crowing on my own dunghill.

  Fiction book (1995)

• Clark braced himself for a dressing down; no doubt this grandam had put two and two together and made the usual p111 error in that kind of nasty, half-cocked addition.

  Fiction book (1995)

• So so the guy, the big boss went up and he he gave them a dressing down of their overall performance for the year.

• So so the guy, the big boss went up and he, he gave them a dressing down of their overall performance for the year.

• No matter what the explanation, Curt was planning on giving Kevin and Luke one hell of a dressing-down when they got back to base.

  Fiction book (1999)

• Unfortunately for Maurice, Madame Oloffson overheard the announcement and gave him a good dressing-down.

  Academic text (1990)

• However, given the fact that the other party so transparently threatened to use legal action to "win" even if they, in fact, lose warrants a thorough dressing-down, which NFSN's response accomplishes with aplomb.

  Blog text (29)

• Rebecca closed her eyes when she heard Matilda Vinson utter a sharp "Lynn!" as she descended on her employee for what would surely be a dressing-down.

  Fiction book (2001)

• Rath goes to the club in hopes of catching his students and giving them a severe dressing-down, but he instead finds himself entranced by the carefree atmosphere of the club and is struck by Lola's earthy, sensual beauty.

  Blog text (28)

• After the team failed to meet their targets, the manager gave them a stern dressing-down about their performance.

Synonyms

C

censure

vsdressing-down

• Formal

141 7.4

A formal statement expressing strong disapproval of someone

is a spoken, often personal severe rebuke rather than a formal judgment

R

reprimand

vsdressing-down

• Formal

24 6.1

A formal complaint from someone in charge about bad behaviour

is harsher in tone and targets those with authority more often

S

scolding

vsdressing-down

7 3.3

A strong angry talk that tells someone they did something wrong

is similar but often concerns the recipient's rank or role

T

tongue-lashing

vsdressing-down

• Informal

5 7.6

A strong angry talk that scolds someone for a mistake

is similar but often emphasizes the recipient's status rather than rage

A

admonishment

vsdressing-down

4 7.0

A firm warning that tells someone to change their behavior

is stronger and aims to severely rebuke rather than gently warn

C

chastisement

vsdressing-down

• Formal

3 7.2

A strong spoken scolding for a mistake

is harsher and often used when the recipient holds power

B

berating

vsdressing-down

1 6.3

A strong angry talk that tells someone they did something wrong

is equally harsh but highlights who receives the rebuke

D

dressing down

vsdressing-down

• Informal

1 6.1

A severe scolding from someone in charge, often in front of other people

is aimed especially at someone who holds a position of authority

U

upbraiding

vsdressing-down

1 8.5

A harsh telling off given for a serious mistake

is used particularly when the target holds higher responsibility

T

talking to

vsdressing-down

• Informal

1 4.2

A serious scolding from someone like a parent or boss

is similar but stresses severity when directed to an authority figure

G

going-over

vsdressing-down

• UK

1 7.4

A strong scolding you get for doing something wrong

focuses on severe reproach often because of the recipient's authority

T

trip to the woodshed

vsdressing-down

• Informal

1 9.9

A strong private scolding for someone who did something wrong

is often public or formal and directed at someone in authority

W

what for

vsdressing-down

• Informal

1 8.8

A strong scolding you get when someone is angry with you

is more formal and often applied to those in positions of power

B

bawling out

vsdressing-down

• Informal

7.6

A loud, angry talk that tells someone they made a mistake

is severe too but can be delivered without loud public anger

Antonyms

P

praise

161 1.0

Words or actions that show admiration for someone

C

commendation

• Formal

39 6.8

An official award or letter praising someone for good work

How Severe

dressing-down

• Informal

1 7.7

rebuke

22 6.8

reprimand

• Formal

24 6.1

scolding

7 3.3

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology