Dress down

usgb
phrasal verb

Rebuke someone severely.

The boss dressed down the team for missing the deadline.
Visual representation of "dress down" - Rebuke someone severely

Often appears as...

  • dress down an employee
  • dress down in public

Usage tips

Informal, Disapproving

Idiomatic

Definition 1 of 2
Visual representation of "dress down"
LampPro Tip 1/3

Severity

Used to convey strong disapproval, often in professional settings or authority figures.

Illustration for Severity
The supervisor dressed down an assistant for not following guidelines.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Power Dynamics

Indicates a power imbalance, where one person has authority over another.

Illustration for Power Dynamics
During the meeting, the manager dressed down the junior staff member.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Not Literal

Does not involve changing clothes; it's metaphorical for a verbal reprimand.

Illustration for Not Literal
Even though the phrase suggests attire, when the coach dressed down the player, it involved no actual clothes.
Visual representation of the word "Dress down"

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