a dressing down
noun phrase

- an act of speaking angrily to someone because they have done something wrong

(Cambridge Dictionary)

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A dressing down, a severe scolding (usually in public), derives from a military ceremony that involves reducing a soldier's rank as a form of punishment because of discipline problems.

In contrast to a promotion ceremony, the soldier's rank insignia is removed and replaced with one of a lower rank. It's a form of degradation intended to discourage others from behaviour that disrespects the uniform.

It is also referred to as "cashiering," which is a ritual dismissal of an individual from some position of responsibility for a breach of discipline. It stems from the Flemish word "kasseren" and entered the English language in the late 16th century, appearing in Shakespeare's Othello in 1603.

When used as a verb phrase, to dress down means to intentionally wear informal clothes of the type that will not attract attention. Some workplaces even have "dress down days" (also called casual day), where employees are allowed and encouraged to shed their coats, ties and business suits and instead come to work in jeans, shorts, and polo shirts as an example. Many start-ups and high tech firms, especially in Silicon Valley, have a dress down day every day.

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SYNONYMS

berate, castigate, chew out, give a tongue lashing to, give shit to, rake over the coals, read the riot act, reprimand, scold, upbraid

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Practice OWAD in a conversation:

"Jim received A DRESSING DOWN after being late again for the team meeting."