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hairdryer treatment

British  

noun

  1. informal (esp in sport) the practice of shouting at someone at close quarters in order to express one's displeasure at something he or she has done

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of hairdryer treatment

C21: from the supposed similarity between this experience and having a hot hairdryer too close to one's head


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:

He said the so-called "hairdryer treatment" - where managers shout at players angrily in the dressing room or on the pitch - is not quite so effective these days.

From BBC ● Mar. 10, 2024

I can't imagine the sensitive Mark Wigglesworth - the current musical director of the ENO - gives either his orchestra or chorus the hairdryer treatment, but they certainly up their game for him.

From BBC ● Mar. 2, 2016

Other coaches in Nagbe’s past have seen his talent and pushed him to produce more: nagging, yelling, cajoling, the full hairdryer treatment.

From The Guardian ● Nov. 13, 2015

Ferguson was famous for giving players the "hairdryer treatment" but admitted he got calmer as he got older.

From BBC ● Sep. 22, 2015

That's why he ended up getting the "hairdryer" treatment, and losing his lunchtime.

From The Guardian ● Jun. 10, 2014

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