dressing down

(noun) a severe scolding. Synonyms: castigation, earful, bawling out, chewing out, upbraiding, going-over, dressing down.

(verb) censure severely or angrily. Synonyms: 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. Examples: "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."

(verb) dress informally and casually. Synonyms: dress down, underdress. Example: "On fridays, employees can underdress."