talking-to
Americannoun
noun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of talking-to
First recorded in 1875–80
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Later that year, in a blog post on his personal website, Bosworth recounted a talking-to he had once received from Sheryl Sandberg, the company’s then-head of operations, about his overbearing way of communicating.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 25, 2026
It worked, although he got a talking-to about knowing his role.
From Salon ● Sep. 9, 2025
They could both use a talking-to from Piper, who is trying to get to the essence of her identity without male validation.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 16, 2025
A half-time talking-to by Plymouth boss Ian Foster, appointed as Steven Schumacher's successor last month, produced a second-half performance from the home side full of energy and intent, but few chances.
From BBC ● Feb. 17, 2024
If you ask me, he could use a good, stern talking-to as well.
From "Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie" by Jordan Sonnenblick
After a week or so of criticism and talking-tos from his staff, Biden reversed his position.
From Slate ● Jul. 12, 2022
He gave us a couple of stern talking-tos across his seven years.
From BBC ● Jun. 16, 2022
All the stern talking-tos she’d gotten at the orphanage, all the wagging fingers and tight faces...they circled back around her like a whirlwind of shame.
From "Dactyl Hill Squad" by Daniel José Older
Despite repeated questionings and stern talking-tos both at school and at home, she had refused to say anything about what had caused this outburst.
From "Little Fires Everywhere" by Celeste Ng
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
