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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

curtain lecture

Mrs. Caudle herself would scarcely hazard a curtain lecture with this atrocious alternative in prospect.

From Satires And Profanities by G. W. (George William) Foote

There was the menace of a curtain lecture in her face.

From The Mermaid of Druid Lake and Other Stories by Charles Weathers Bump

Then he added aloud, "A hurried journey on business, we will call it, a sudden journey on business, preceded by a little curtain lecture."

From Gertrude's Marriage by W. Heimburg

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

The tintinnabulations of the wife's curtain lecture are too precious to the enraptured husband to be shared with other ears.

From Gov. Bob. Taylor's Tales by Robert L. Taylor

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