Top 45 Slang For Admonition – Meaning & Usage

Admonishing someone can be a delicate art, and having the right slang in your arsenal can make all the difference. Whether you’re looking to gently chide a friend or give a stern warning, our team has got you covered with a list of the top slang for admonition. Stay tuned to upgrade your language game and communicate effectively in any situation.

Click above to generate some slangs

1. Call out

When someone calls out another person, they are publicly criticizing or reprimanding them for their actions or behavior.

For example, if a celebrity makes an offensive comment, people might call them out on social media.
In a workplace setting, a manager might call out an employee for consistently arriving late to work.
A teacher might call out a student for cheating on a test.

2. Dress down

To dress down someone means to strongly reprimand or criticize them, often in a harsh or stern manner.

For instance, a parent might dress down their child for breaking a rule.
In a military setting, a superior officer might dress down a subordinate for failing to follow orders.
A boss might dress down an employee for making a costly mistake.

3. Chew out

When someone chews out another person, they scold or reprimand them in a harsh or severe manner.

For example, a coach might chew out a player for not giving their best effort during a game.
A teacher might chew out a student for not completing their homework.
A supervisor might chew out an employee for consistently missing deadlines.

4. Put on blast

To put someone on blast means to publicly shame or expose their wrongdoing or negative behavior.

For instance, if someone is caught cheating on their partner, their partner might put them on blast on social media.
A journalist might put a public figure on blast by revealing their unethical actions.
A friend might put another friend on blast for spreading rumors or gossip.

5. Lay into

When someone lays into another person, they criticize or attack them in a harsh or aggressive manner.

For example, during an argument, one person might lay into the other with insults and personal attacks.
A sports commentator might lay into a player for making a costly mistake during a game.
A customer might lay into a store employee for providing poor customer service.

6. Give a piece of your mind

This phrase means to express one’s anger or dissatisfaction towards someone or something.

For example, “I’m going to give my boss a piece of my mind for making me work late again.”
A person might say, “I gave my noisy neighbor a piece of my mind about their loud parties.”
In a heated argument, someone might shout, “I’ve had enough! I’m giving you a piece of my mind!”

7. Read the riot act

This phrase means to reprimand or warn someone sternly, often in a forceful or authoritative manner.

For instance, “My parents read me the riot act when they found out I had been skipping school.”
A teacher might say, “I had to read the riot act to my students after they were disruptive in class.”
In a disciplinary meeting, a boss might say, “I’m going to read the riot act to the employee who has been consistently late.”

8. Rake over the coals

This phrase means to criticize or reprimand someone severely, often by bringing up past mistakes or wrongdoings.

For example, “My supervisor raked me over the coals for the mistakes I made on the project.”
A parent might say, “I had to rake my teenager over the coals for sneaking out of the house.”
During a performance review, a manager might say, “I’m going to have to rake you over the coals for your poor attendance and lack of performance.”

9. Give a talking to

This phrase means to scold or reprimand someone for their actions or behavior.

For instance, “I gave my younger sibling a talking to about borrowing my clothes without asking.”
A teacher might say, “I had to give a talking to the students who were cheating on the test.”
A coach might give a player a talking to for not following the team’s rules or instructions.

10. Set straight

This phrase means to correct or reprimand someone in order to make them understand the correct way of doing something or to address their misconceptions.

For example, “I had to set my coworker straight about the company’s policy on tardiness.”
A parent might say, “I need to set my child straight about the importance of honesty.”
During a meeting, a manager might say, “Let me set you straight on the correct procedure for submitting expense reports.”

11. Give a dressing down

This phrase means to scold or reprimand someone in a severe or stern manner.

For example, “The boss gave a dressing down to the employee for repeatedly coming late to work.”
A parent might say, “I had to give my child a dressing down for not doing their homework.”
In a military setting, a superior officer might give a dressing down to a soldier for insubordination.

12. Tear into

This phrase means to criticize or attack someone with great intensity or anger.

For instance, “The teacher tore into the student for not completing the assignment.”
In a heated argument, one person might tear into the other, saying, “You never listen to anyone and always think you’re right!”
A journalist might tear into a public figure in their article, exposing their wrongdoings.

13. Slap on the wrist

This phrase refers to a punishment or reprimand that is considered to be very lenient or insignificant.

For example, “The judge gave the criminal a slap on the wrist for their first offense.”
In a workplace, a manager might give an employee a slap on the wrist for a minor mistake.
A parent might say to their child, “I’ll just give you a slap on the wrist this time, but don’t do it again.”

14. Rap on the knuckles

This phrase means to give someone a light reprimand or warning for their actions or behavior.

For instance, “The teacher rapped the student on the knuckles for talking in class.”
A supervisor might rap an employee on the knuckles for not following the company’s guidelines.
In a sports game, a referee might rap a player on the knuckles for unsportsmanlike conduct.

15. Tell off

This phrase means to scold or reprimand someone in a direct, forceful, and often angry manner.

For example, “The manager told off the employee for their rude behavior towards a customer.”
A parent might tell off their child for disobeying their instructions.
In a confrontation, one person might tell off the other, saying, “I can’t believe you would treat me like that!”

16. Give a tongue-lashing

To scold or reprimand someone in a severe or harsh manner.

For example, “The teacher gave a tongue-lashing to the student who was constantly disrupting the class.”
A parent might give a tongue-lashing to their child for breaking the rules.
A boss might give a tongue-lashing to an employee for making a costly mistake.

17. Put in their place

To assert authority over someone and make them understand their position or status.

For instance, “The coach put the player in their place after they talked back.”
A supervisor might put an unruly employee in their place to maintain order.
In a social setting, someone might put another person in their place if they are being disrespectful.

18. Straighten out

To correct or improve someone’s behavior or actions.

For example, “The teacher tried to straighten out the student’s disruptive behavior.”
A mentor might help straighten out a troubled teenager by guiding them towards positive choices.
A friend might offer advice to help straighten out another friend’s messy personal life.

19. Give a warning shot

To provide a warning or cautionary message to someone as a way to prevent further negative consequences.

For instance, “The manager gave a warning shot to the employee who consistently arrived late.”
A parent might give a warning shot to their child about the dangers of a certain behavior.
A coach might give a warning shot to their team about the consequences of not following the rules.

20. Give a caution

To provide a warning or advice to someone about potential dangers or negative outcomes.

For example, “The police officer gave a caution to the driver for speeding.”
A teacher might give a caution to a student about the importance of studying for an upcoming test.
A friend might give a caution to another friend about getting involved in a risky situation.

21. Give a rebuke

To express disapproval or criticism towards someone’s actions or behavior. Giving a rebuke is a way to admonish or scold someone for their actions.

For example, a teacher might give a rebuke to a student for not completing their homework.
A parent might give a rebuke to their child for misbehaving.
A boss might give a rebuke to an employee for not meeting their targets.

22. Give a scolding

To reprimand someone harshly or angrily for their actions or behavior. Giving a scolding is a way to admonish or scold someone for their actions.

For instance, a coach might give a scolding to a player for not following the game plan.
A manager might give a scolding to an employee for being late to work.
A parent might give a scolding to their child for breaking a valuable item.

23. Give a ticking off

To give someone a strong or lengthy reprimand for their actions or behavior. Giving a ticking off is a way to admonish or scold someone for their actions.

For instance, a teacher might give a ticking off to a student for disrupting the class.
A supervisor might give a ticking off to an employee for not following company policies.
A friend might give a ticking off to another friend for canceling plans last minute.

24. Give a piece of one’s mind

To express one’s anger or disapproval towards someone’s actions or behavior. Giving a piece of one’s mind is a way to admonish or scold someone for their actions.

For example, a customer might give a piece of their mind to a rude salesperson.
A citizen might give a piece of their mind to a politician for broken promises.
A spouse might give a piece of their mind to their partner for forgetting an important event.

25. Give a talking-to

To have a serious conversation with someone in order to express disapproval or criticism towards their actions or behavior. Giving a talking-to is a way to admonish or scold someone for their actions.

For example, a teacher might give a talking-to to a student for consistently not paying attention in class.
A supervisor might give a talking-to to an employee for not meeting deadlines.
A parent might give a talking-to to their child for not doing their chores.

26. Dressing-down

A dressing-down refers to a severe scolding or reprimand given to someone for their actions or behavior. It often involves expressing disapproval or disappointment.

For example, “After the team lost the game, the coach gave them a dressing-down in the locker room.”
A parent might say, “I had to give my teenager a dressing-down for coming home past curfew.”
In a workplace setting, a supervisor might give an employee a dressing-down for repeatedly making mistakes.

27. Tongue-lashing

A tongue-lashing is a harsh and angry verbal attack or berating. It involves using strong language to express anger or disapproval towards someone.

For instance, “The teacher gave the students a tongue-lashing for not completing their assignments.”
A customer might say, “I received a tongue-lashing from the manager after complaining about the service.”
In a heated argument, one person might give the other a tongue-lashing to express their frustration.

28. Ream out

To ream out someone means to strongly criticize or reprimand them. It often involves speaking to them in an angry or forceful manner.

For example, “The boss reamed out the employee for being late to work.”
A coach might say, “I had to ream out the team for not giving their best effort.”
In a parent-child relationship, a parent might ream out their child for breaking the rules.

29. Give someone a piece of your mind

To give someone a piece of your mind means to express your anger, frustration, or disapproval towards them. It involves speaking your mind openly and honestly.

For instance, “I gave my roommate a piece of my mind for constantly leaving a mess in the common area.”
A person might say, “I’m going to give my boss a piece of my mind about the unfair workload.”
In a disagreement, one person might say, “I can’t wait to give them a piece of my mind and tell them what I really think.”

30. Give someone a dressing-down

To give someone a dressing-down is to scold or reprimand them for their actions or behavior. It involves expressing disapproval or disappointment towards them.

For example, “The teacher gave the student a dressing-down for talking during class.”
A manager might say, “I had to give my employee a dressing-down for repeatedly missing deadlines.”
In a family setting, a parent might give their child a dressing-down for not following the rules.

31. Give someone a talking-to

To give someone a stern or serious lecture or scolding about their behavior or actions.

For example, a parent might say, “I need to give my child a talking-to about their disrespectful behavior.”
In a workplace setting, a supervisor might say, “I had to give my employee a talking-to about their poor performance.”
A teacher might give a student a talking-to for not completing their homework.

32. Chew someone’s ear off

To talk to someone incessantly or at length, often about trivial or uninteresting topics.

For instance, “My aunt chewed my ear off about her new diet for hours.”
A friend might complain, “My coworker always chews my ear off about their relationship drama.”
Someone might say, “I had to leave the party early because this guy started chewing my ear off about politics.”

33. Light a fire under someone

To inspire or urge someone to take action or work harder, often by creating a sense of urgency or pressure.

For example, a coach might say, “I need to light a fire under my team if we want to win this game.”
A boss might say, “I’m going to light a fire under my employees to meet the deadline.”
A friend might encourage another friend, “You can do it! I’ll light a fire under you to study for that exam.”

34. Set someone straight

To provide someone with accurate information or to clarify a misunderstanding.

For instance, “I had to set my friend straight about the details of the event.”
A teacher might set a student straight about a historical fact.
A parent might set their child straight about the consequences of their actions.

35. Straighten someone out

To help someone improve their behavior or attitude, often by giving them guidance or advice.

For example, a counselor might straighten out a troubled teenager.
A friend might say, “I need someone to straighten me out. I’ve been making bad decisions lately.”
A manager might straighten out an employee who has been consistently late to work.

36. Put someone in their place

To assert one’s authority or dominance over someone, often in a confrontational or forceful manner.

For example, “When the employee challenged the manager’s decision, the manager put him in his place by reminding him of his position.”
In a heated argument, one person might say to another, “Don’t make me put you in your place.”
A parent might put a misbehaving child in their place by giving them a stern warning.

37. Give a warning shot across the bow

To issue a strong warning or threat to someone, often as a way to deter them from taking further action.

For instance, “The CEO gave a warning shot across the bow to employees who were considering going on strike.”
In a negotiation, one party might give a warning shot across the bow by saying, “If you don’t meet our demands, we will take legal action.”
A teacher might give a student a warning shot across the bow by saying, “If you don’t improve your behavior, there will be consequences.”

38. Call to task

To hold someone accountable for their actions or behavior and demand an explanation or justification.

For example, “The manager called the employee to task for consistently arriving late to work.”
In a team meeting, a leader might call a team member to task for not completing their assigned tasks.
A teacher might call a student to task for plagiarizing a paper.

39. Chastise

To reprimand or scold someone for their actions or behavior, often in a harsh or critical manner.

For instance, “The coach chastised the player for not putting in enough effort during practice.”
A parent might chastise their child for not doing their homework.
A teacher might chastise a student for talking during class.

40. Rebuke

To express sharp disapproval or criticism of someone’s actions or behavior.

For example, “The judge rebuked the lawyer for making inappropriate comments in the courtroom.”
In a heated argument, one person might rebuke another for their insensitive remarks.
A supervisor might rebuke an employee for not following company policies.

41. Reproach

To express disapproval or disappointment towards someone’s actions or behavior. “Reproach” often implies a more severe or harsh form of admonition.

For example, a parent might reproach their child for breaking a rule by saying, “I told you not to touch that, and you did it anyway.”
In a professional setting, a supervisor might reproach an employee for consistently being late to work by saying, “Your persistent tardiness is unacceptable and reflects poorly on your commitment.”
A friend might reproach another friend for canceling plans last minute by saying, “I’m really disappointed that you bailed on our dinner without a good reason.”

42. Upbraid

To scold or criticize someone in a stern or harsh manner. “Upbraid” often implies a more intense form of admonition.

For instance, a teacher might upbraid a student for not completing their homework by saying, “This is the third time this week you’ve come to class unprepared. I will not tolerate this lack of effort.”
In a romantic relationship, one partner might upbraid the other for forgetting an important anniversary by saying, “I can’t believe you forgot our anniversary. It’s incredibly thoughtless and disrespectful.”
A boss might upbraid an employee for making a costly mistake by saying, “Your negligence has caused a significant loss for the company. This kind of carelessness is unacceptable.”

43. Censure

To express strong disapproval or criticism towards someone’s actions or behavior. “Censure” often implies a formal or official form of admonition.

For example, a politician might censure another politician for unethical behavior by saying, “Their actions are a disgrace to our government and the people they represent.”
In a professional setting, a board of directors might censure a CEO for financial misconduct by saying, “We cannot tolerate such fraudulent behavior from the highest position of leadership.”
A community might censure a member for making derogatory or offensive remarks by saying, “We condemn your hateful and discriminatory language. It has no place in our society.”

44. Reprimand

To formally or officially criticize or rebuke someone for their actions or behavior. “Reprimand” often implies a consequence or punishment as a result of the admonition.

For instance, a teacher might reprimand a student for cheating on a test by saying, “Your dishonesty will not be tolerated. You will receive a failing grade and face disciplinary action.”
In a workplace, a supervisor might reprimand an employee for violating company policies by saying, “Your actions have violated our code of conduct, and you will face disciplinary measures.”
A coach might reprimand a player for unsportsmanlike conduct by saying, “Your behavior on the field is unacceptable. You will be benched for the next game as a consequence.”

45. Admonish

To caution or advise someone against a certain action or behavior. “Admonish” often implies a more gentle or mild form of admonition.

For example, a parent might admonish their child for not wearing a helmet while riding a bike by saying, “You need to wear a helmet to protect yourself from potential head injuries.”
In a workplace, a colleague might admonish another colleague for repeatedly being late to meetings by saying, “Punctuality is important in our professional environment. Please make an effort to arrive on time.”
A friend might admonish another friend for gossiping about someone by saying, “Talking behind someone’s back is hurtful and can damage relationships. Let’s focus on positive conversations instead.”