curtain lecture

American  

noun

1. Older Use. a scolding administered in private by a wife to her husband.

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curtain lecture British  

noun

1. a scolding or rebuke given in private, esp by a wife to her husband

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Etymology

Origin of curtain lecture

First recorded in 1625–35

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

curtain lecture

“Ah, ha,” thought I, “Tom’s curtain lecture is not over yet.”

From McClure's Magazine, Vol. 1, No. 4, September 1893 by Various

Who has no will but by her high permission; Who has not sixpence but in her possession; Who must to her his dear friend’s secret tell; Who dreads a curtain lecture worse than hell!

From The Complete Works of Robert Burns: Containing his Poems, Songs, and Correspondence. With a New Life of the Poet, and Notices, Critical and Biographical by Allan Cunningham by Robert Burns

She did not appear at breakfast, and after that meal Mr. Stuart paid Christie her wages with a solemnity which proved that he had taken a curtain lecture to heart.

From Work: a Story of Experience by Louisa May Alcott

Have been lull'd into sleep by a good curtain lecture.

From Lover's Vows by Mrs. Inchbald

She seemed to me to be more forward than ever that morning, and I felt a suspicion that I was going to get a curtain lecture.

From The Conquest The Story of a Negro Pioneer by Oscar Micheaux