dress down Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb censure severely or angrily
    call on the carpet; rag; remonstrate; chew out; take to task; call down; jaw; lambast; trounce; scold; chide; berate; chew up; have words; rebuke; reprimand; reproof; lecture; bawl out; lambaste.
    • 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
  2. verb dress informally and casually
    underdress.
    • On Fridays, employees can underdress

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