dress down Meaning, Definition & Usage

1. verb censure severely or angrily
   call on the carpet; rag; remonstrate; chew out; take to task; call down; jaw; lambast; trounce; scold; chide; berate; chew up; have words; rebuke; reprimand; reproof; lecture; bawl out; lambaste.
   
   • The mother scolded the child for entering a stranger's car
   • The deputy ragged the Prime Minister
   • The customer dressed down the waiter for bringing cold soup
2. verb dress informally and casually
   underdress.
   
   • On Fridays, employees can underdress

WordNet