Definitions

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun An instance of telling someone off, a reprimand.

Etymologies

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Examples

  • Also: a telling-off, bawling out, blowing up, chewing out or "a giving to another of one hell of a bad time".

    French Word-A-Day: 2010

  • A big telling-off for publishers Orbit, though - why no credit for the fabulous cover artist?

    Simple Meme: What Book Are You Reading Now? 2010

  • After a good few hours of interrogation and fretting, they gave me a sound telling-off and a document saying that my re-entry into Canada would be at the sole discretion of the immigration agent at Vancouver airport.

    Archive: Oct 08 - Mar 09 Cath@VWXYNot? 2009

  • But just 48 hours into the job, she had earned a telling-off after declaring that the French labour laws were complicated and a drag on the economy and suggesting they needed reforming.

    Christine Lagarde: The woman who would be the world's banker | Observer profile 2011

  • Also: a telling-off, bawling out, blowing up, chewing out or "a giving to another of one hell of a bad time".

    engueulade - French Word-A-Day 2010

  • Also: a telling-off, bawling out, blowing up, chewing out or "a giving to another of one hell of a bad time".

    French Word-A-Day: 2010

  • France, Italy and Germany have all, at various moments, breached this 'rule', the consequence of which was to be the object of a really major telling-off from the EU: You have been very very very naughty and you must never, ever do that again!

    Archive 2008-04-27 2008

  • France, Italy and Germany have all, at various moments, breached this 'rule', the consequence of which was to be the object of a really major telling-off from the EU: You have been very very very naughty and you must never, ever do that again!

    Saved by the Irish, begorrah! 2008

  • At this point Dimbleby gets a telling-off from Mouzawak.

    A taste of Beirut 2010

  • Also: a telling-off, bawling out, blowing up, chewing out or "a giving to another of one hell of a bad time".

    engueulade - French Word-A-Day 2010

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