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, noun use (with -ing ¹ ) of verb phrase dress down

Example Sentences

The tensions were evident at the recent meeting when the issue of officer shootings led to a public dressing-down of the chief.

From Los Angeles Times

These people seem, even, to disgust and emotionally trigger him, as evidenced by his shocking dressing-down of Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky when Zelensky visited the White House.

From Slate

"The recent dressing-down of Ukraine President Zelensky by President Trump and Vice-President Vance was a glitch on a media stage."

From Salon

That public dressing-down was followed this week by Trump pausing all US military aid and intelligence-sharing with Kyiv.

From BBC

The public dressing-down was followed this week by Trump pausing all US military aid and intelligence-sharing with Kyiv.

From BBC