dressing-down

[ dres-ing-doun ]

noun

1. a severe reprimand; scolding.

dressing-down

noun

1. informal.
   a severe scolding or thrashing

Word History and Origins

Origin of dressing-down¹

1860–65, Americanism; noun use (with -ing ¹ ) of verb phrase dress down

Example Sentences

Days later, supermodel Kate Moss accosted Bieber at another party in Ibiza, giving him a dressing down over his behavior.

From The Daily Beast

After a cruel dressing down from their former group leader, Jeff, they all dejectedly sign.

From The Daily Beast

In an unprecedented move for a postwar German leader, she summoned the American ambassador to her office for a dressing down.

From The Daily Beast

But Crystal sees through the ruse, and gives Julian a thorough dressing-down, insulting the size of his manhood.

From The Daily Beast

From dressing down JFK to regrets about Neil Armstrong, Howard Kurtz has the top 10.

From The Daily Beast

Every day we tell each other that we are fine bunglers, and give each other a regular dressing down.

From Project Gutenberg

That fellow I gave a dressing-down about India to up at the Pratts' there.

From Project Gutenberg

Falstaff, the beery lout, would be an impossible companion, and Prince Hal a tiresome young cub who wanted a good dressing-down.

From Project Gutenberg

The few days towards the end of the season at the Old Virgin are a race between the ships at catching and dressing down.

From Project Gutenberg

Perhaps you gave her such a dressing-down, Billie, that shes turned over a new leaf.

From Project Gutenberg