talk to

1. Also, give a talking to. Scold, reprimand, as in The teacher said he'd have to talk to Jeff after school, or Dad gave us both a good talking to. [Colloquial; second half of 1800s] For talk to like a Dutch uncle, see Dutch uncle.

Related Words

• advise 
• berate 
• censure 
• chide 
• enjoin 
• exhort 
• rebuke 
• reprimand 
• scold 
• upbraid 
• warn