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Synonyms

talking-to

American  
[taw-king-too] / ˈtɔ kɪŋˌtu /

noun

plural

talking-tos

  1. a scolding.

talking-to British  

noun

  1. informal a session of criticism, as of the work or attitude of a subordinate by a person in authority

"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 talking-to

First recorded in 1875–80

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.

It worked, although he got a talking-to about knowing his role.

From Salon • Sep. 9, 2025

But after a serious talking-to from his corner, Catterall aimed to take the front foot and it paid off as he rocked Prograis with a hammering left.

From BBC • Oct. 26, 2024

Elon Musk is getting a talking-to from Dionne Warwick over his plans to nix X’s blocking feature.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 6, 2023

Now banks will get a talking-to from their risk managers and from investors, maybe even at shareholder meetings.

From Scientific American • Mar. 18, 2023

I could be written up, banished to bras, called in for a talking-to by a deeply disappointed Roberta.

From "Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America" by Barbara Ehrenreich

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.