Overview of noun dressing_down

The noun dressing down has 1 sense

• castigation, earful, bawling out, chewing out, upbraiding, going-over, dressing down -- (a severe scolding)

Overview of verb dress_down

The verb dress down has 2 senses

• call on the carpet, take to task, rebuke, rag, trounce, reproof, lecture, reprimand, jaw, dress down, call down, scold, chide, berate, bawl out, remonstrate, chew out, chew up, have words, lambaste, lambast -- (censure severely or angrily; "The mother scolded the child for entering a stranger's car"; "The deputy ragged the Prime Minister"; "The customer dressed down the waiter for bringing cold soup")


• dress down, underdress -- (dress informally and casually; "On Fridays, employees can underdress")