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

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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

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

Ms Sridhar later tweeted that she was "completely aligned" with the Scottish government's approach, prompting Conservative MSP Ruth Davidson to suggest the advisor had "got the hairdryer treatment over the phone".

From BBC • Jun. 17, 2020

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

Gerard Piqué has revealed it was Roy Keane rather than Sir Alex Ferguson and the infamous hairdryer treatment that struck fear into him during his four-year spell at Manchester United.

From The Guardian • Oct. 2, 2014

Facing him across the dispatch box must be like having Sir Alex Ferguson give you the hairdryer treatment at a range of two inches.

From The Guardian • May 14, 2013