Dress down

Pro Tip 1/3

Severity

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

The supervisor dressed down an assistant for not following guidelines.

Pro Tip 2/3

Power Dynamics

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

During the meeting, the manager dressed down the junior staff member.

Pro Tip 3/3

Not Literal

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

Even though the phrase suggests attire, when the coach dressed down the player, it involved no actual clothes.