give (one) a (good) talking to

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give (one) a (good) talking to

To rebuke, scold, or berate someone thoroughly and intensely. I told her a thousand times not to take the car without asking! Well, I'll give her a good talking to when she gets home. The boss is quick to give you a talking to if you make even a minor mistake.

See also: give, talk, to

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

give someone a (good) talking to

tv. to scold someone; to lecture someone sternly. The teacher gave Jimmy a talking to.

See also: give, good, someone, talk, to

give someone a talking to

verb

See give someone a good talking to

See also: give, someone, talk, to

McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.