talking-to
Americannoun
plural
talking-tosnoun
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.
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
Now banks will get a talking-to from their risk managers and from investors, maybe even at shareholder meetings.
From Scientific American • Mar. 18, 2023
But then, day two rolled around and, suddenly, there were rules and talking-to sit-downs and the like.
From Washington Post • Sep. 20, 2022
The morning after our fuss about it, Mama sat me down for a talking-to.
From "Cold Sassy Tree" by Olive Ann Burns
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.
