tongue-lashing
5
7.6
- noun
- /ˈtʌŋˌlæʃɪŋ/
- Informal
:
reprimenda
- Probably didn't save you from a brutal tongue-lashing, though, huh?
- give a tongue-lashing
- get a tongue-lashing
- receive a tongue-lashing
Examples
-
She gave a tongue-lashing that drove the blood swiftly to my face.
Fiction book (2000) -
Let me tell you, I was about 10 and still remember the tongue-lashing I got.
Blog text (23) -
However, last week I got a gentle tongue-lashing that reminded me that my way is not always the best way.
Blog text (26) -
And when I get back, I'm gonna give you a tongue-lashing you won't soon forget.
-
My late mother gave me a tongue-lashing when I mocked the Central European accent of a local television host.
Blog text (21) -
His wife gave the entire episcopate a fine tongue-lashing, mincing no words, and got over the whole incident in a trice.
Fiction book (1999) -
It provoked a lecture and a tongue-lashing that made Annabelle wince.
Fiction book (1990) -
I was flabbergasted one day, and then resentful, when my father interrupted an angry tongue-lashing I was administering to my oldest son by observing that he's only a kid.
Fiction book (2000) -
After forgetting her birthday, he was in for a serious tongue-lashing from his girlfriend.
-
The teacher's tongue-lashing left the students regretting their poor behavior.
Synonyms
32
4.4
Harsh repeated criticism of a person or their ideas
27
9.5
Bitter, angry language that attacks people
7
3.3
A strong angry talk that tells someone they did something wrong
1
9.9
People say very angry insulting words to attack someone
1
6.3
A strong angry talk that tells someone they did something wrong
1
9.0
Severe criticism or punishment using harsh words
1
7.2
A talk that tells someone they did something wrong, often angrily
1
8.5
A harsh telling off given for a serious mistake
1
7.7
A strong angry talk that tells someone they did something wrong
1
7.0
A severe scolding for doing something wrong
1
9.5
A strong scolding from someone in charge
1
8.8
A strong scolding you get when someone is angry with you
A loud, angry talk that tells someone they made a mistake
A loud angry scolding for someone who did something wrong
A severe scolding given to someone for a serious mistake
A strong angry criticism that someone gives to another person
Antonyms
How Harsh
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
Tongue-lashing starts with a clear picture: tongue means 'speech' and lash means 'whip'. Think of harsh words like a whip across the mouth — that's why a tongue-lashing is a severe scolding.