Top 40 Slang For Scold – Meaning & Usage

When it comes to expressing disapproval or reprimanding someone, finding the right words can be crucial. In this article, we’ve compiled a list of the most effective and contemporary slang terms for scolding, guaranteed to add a modern twist to your vocabulary. Whether you’re looking to spice up your conversations or simply stay in the loop with the latest language trends, we’ve got you covered. Get ready to upgrade your verbal arsenal with our selection of top slang for scold!

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1. Chew out

When the boss found out about the mistake, he chewed out the entire team.

After breaking curfew, Sarah’s parents chewed her out for hours.
The coach chewed out the player for not giving their best effort in the game.

2. Dress down

The teacher dressed down the student in front of the entire class for not completing their homework.

The manager dressed down the employee for their unprofessional behavior in the office.
When the customer complained, the restaurant owner dressed down the waiter for the mistake.

3. Give a piece of one’s mind

After waiting for an hour, she gave the rude customer a piece of her mind.

The coach gave the players a piece of his mind after their poor performance in the game.
When her roommate constantly left a mess, she finally gave them a piece of her mind.

4. Rake over the coals

The boss raked over the coals of the employee for their repeated tardiness.

The teacher raked over the coals of the student for plagiarizing their essay.
When the politician was caught in a scandal, the media raked them over the coals.

5. Call down

The principal called down the misbehaving students to the office.

The coach called down the player for their unsportsmanlike conduct.
When the child misbehaved, the parent called them down for their actions.

6. Rag on

To “rag on” someone means to continuously criticize or scold them, often in a harsh or mocking manner.

For example, “Stop ragging on me for being late, I had a valid reason.”
A friend might say, “Don’t rag on him too hard, he’s just learning.”
In a work setting, a boss might say, “I don’t want to have to rag on you about meeting deadlines again.”

7. Jump down one’s throat

To “jump down one’s throat” means to react angrily or scold someone harshly and aggressively.

For instance, “She jumped down my throat when I asked a simple question.”
In a heated argument, someone might say, “Don’t jump down my throat, let’s have a civil discussion.”
A parent might warn their child, “If you keep misbehaving, I’ll have to jump down your throat.”

8. Tear into

To “tear into” someone means to scold or criticize them vehemently, often with intense anger or frustration.

For example, “She tore into him for forgetting their anniversary.”
In a review of a performance, a critic might write, “The reviewer tore into the actor’s lackluster performance.”
A teacher might say, “I had to tear into my students for not completing their assignments.”

9. Give someone a talking-to

To “give someone a talking-to” means to scold or reprimand them, typically in a serious or stern manner.

For instance, “My boss gave me a talking-to after I made a mistake.”
A parent might say, “I need to give my child a talking-to about their behavior.”
In a disciplinary meeting, a supervisor might say, “I had to give him a serious talking-to about his performance.”

10. Chew someone’s ear

To “chew someone’s ear” means to reprimand or scold them at length, often in a persistent or nagging manner.

For example, “My mother chewed my ear about cleaning my room.”
A friend might say, “My boss chewed my ear for coming in late.”
In a relationship, one partner might say, “She chewed my ear for forgetting our anniversary.”

11. Read the riot act

To read the riot act is to scold or reprimand someone in a stern and forceful manner. The phrase originates from a historical legal act in England, where a riot act was literally read aloud to disperse unruly crowds.

For example, “The boss read the riot act to the employees for their constant tardiness.”
A parent might say, “I had to read the riot act to my kids after they broke the rules.”
During a team meeting, a coach might read the riot act to the players for their poor performance.

12. Put someone in their place

To put someone in their place means to assert authority over them or to remind them of their inferior position or status. It is a way of scolding someone and making them feel small or insignificant.

For instance, “The teacher put the disruptive student in their place by giving them a detention.”
In a heated argument, one person might say, “Don’t try to challenge me, I’ll put you in your place.”
A supervisor might put an insubordinate employee in their place by reprimanding them in front of their colleagues.

13. Rap someone’s knuckles

To rap someone’s knuckles is to give them a mild scolding or reprimand. The phrase originated from a literal punishment where a ruler or a cane would be used to strike someone’s knuckles as a form of discipline.

For example, “The teacher rapped the student’s knuckles for talking during class.”
A parent might rap their child’s knuckles for misbehaving at the dinner table.
A manager might rap an employee’s knuckles for repeatedly making mistakes.

14. Dress someone down

To dress someone down is to strongly criticize or scold them. It involves speaking to someone in a harsh and severe manner, often with the intention of correcting their behavior or attitude.

For instance, “The coach dressed the player down for their lack of effort during practice.”
A boss might dress down an employee for their unprofessional behavior in the workplace.
During a confrontation, one person might dress the other person down for their disrespectful comments.

15. Tongue-lash

To tongue-lash someone is to scold or berate them angrily and vehemently. The phrase implies using one’s words as a weapon to lash out and verbally attack someone.

For example, “The angry customer tongue-lashed the cashier for their rude behavior.”
A teacher might tongue-lash a student for repeatedly failing to complete their assignments.
During an argument, one person might tongue-lash the other person for their hurtful words.

16. Berate

To berate someone is to express strong disapproval or anger towards them, often through harsh words or criticism.

For example, a parent might berate their child for not doing their homework.
A boss might berate an employee for making a mistake on an important project.
During an argument, one person might berate the other for their behavior.

17. Upbraid

To upbraid someone is to strongly criticize or scold them, often in a severe or harsh manner.

For instance, a teacher might upbraid a student for cheating on a test.
A friend might upbraid another friend for being consistently late to meetups.
A coach might upbraid a player for not putting in enough effort during practice.

18. Chide

To chide someone is to express mild disapproval or scold them in a gentle or mild manner.

For example, a parent might chide their child for forgetting to do their chores.
A teacher might chide a student for not paying attention in class.
A friend might chide another friend for being forgetful.

19. Lambaste

To lambaste someone is to criticize or reprimand them harshly or severely.

For instance, a critic might lambaste a movie for its poor acting and plot.
A manager might lambaste an employee for consistently underperforming.
During a heated argument, one person might lambaste the other for their past actions.

20. Reprove

To reprove someone is to express disapproval or scold them in a gentle or mild manner, often with the intention of correcting their behavior.

For example, a teacher might reprove a student for talking during class.
A parent might reprove their child for not cleaning their room.
A supervisor might reprove an employee for not following company policies.

21. Censure

To express strong disapproval or criticism towards someone’s actions or behavior. “Censure” is a formal term often used in professional or political contexts.

For example, a government official might say, “The senator was censured for his unethical behavior.”
In a workplace setting, a manager might censure an employee for repeatedly being late to work.
A teacher might censure a student for cheating on a test.

22. Admonish

To warn or scold someone firmly or earnestly. “Admonish” implies a gentle or authoritative tone and is often used to correct or caution someone’s behavior.

For instance, a parent might admonish their child for not doing their homework.
A teacher might admonish a student for talking during class.
A boss might admonish an employee for missing a deadline.

23. Scold

To criticize or reprimand someone angrily or sharply. “Scold” is a straightforward and direct term for expressing disapproval or dissatisfaction.

For example, a mother might scold her child for breaking a vase.
A teacher might scold a student for not paying attention in class.
A supervisor might scold an employee for making a costly mistake.

24. Lecture

To give a long, tedious, or moralizing talk to someone, typically in a condescending or authoritative manner. “Lecture” implies a one-sided communication where the speaker imparts knowledge or guidance.

For instance, a professor might lecture their students on a complex subject.
A parent might lecture their teenager on the importance of responsibility.
A boss might lecture their employees on workplace etiquette.

25. Blame

To hold someone responsible for a fault or wrongdoing. “Blame” implies assigning fault or culpability to someone for a negative outcome or situation.

For example, a person might blame their friend for causing them to be late.
A supervisor might blame an employee for a project’s failure.
A coach might blame a player for a team’s loss.

26. Criticize

– For example, “Don’t criticize her for making a mistake, she’s still learning.”

A parent might say to their child, “I have to criticize your behavior because it’s not acceptable.”
During a performance review, a manager might criticize an employee’s performance and offer suggestions for improvement.

27. Rebuke

– For instance, “The teacher rebuked the student for cheating on the test.”

A boss might rebuke an employee for consistently arriving late to work.
In a heated argument, one person might rebuke the other for their hurtful words.

28. Tell someone off

– For example, “She told him off for forgetting their anniversary.”

A parent might tell their child off for breaking a rule.
In a confrontation, one person might tell the other off for their disrespectful behavior.

29. Wig out

– For instance, “She wigs out whenever someone touches her belongings without permission.”

A person might wig out if they receive a parking ticket for no apparent reason.
During a heated argument, one person might wig out and start yelling and throwing things.

30. Give a what for

– For example, “His boss gave him a what for when he failed to meet the deadline.”

A teacher might give a student a what for if they are caught cheating.
In a disciplinary meeting, a supervisor might give an employee a what for for their repeated mistakes.

31. Have a go at

This phrase is used to describe when someone is being scolded or criticized for something they did or said.

For example, “My boss had a go at me for being late to work.”
A parent might say, “I had a go at my child for not doing their homework.”
In a team meeting, a manager might have a go at an employee for not meeting their targets.

32. Jump on

This term is used to describe when someone is being scolded or reprimanded for something they did or said.

For instance, “The teacher jumped on the student for talking in class.”
A coach might jump on a player for making a mistake during a game.
In a workplace, a supervisor might jump on an employee for not following proper procedures.

33. Lash out

This phrase is used to describe when someone expresses their anger or frustration towards another person, often through scolding or harsh words.

For example, “She lashed out at her friend for betraying her trust.”
A person might lash out at a stranger who bumped into them on the street.
During an argument, someone might lash out at their partner in a fit of anger.

34. Put down

This term is used to describe when someone criticizes or scolds another person for something they did or said.

For instance, “She put down her colleague for making a mistake.”
A parent might put down their child for not performing well in school.
In a group project, a team member might put down another member for not contributing enough.

35. Slap on the wrist

This phrase is used to describe a mild scolding or reprimand given to someone as a form of punishment or warning.

For example, “He received a slap on the wrist for being late to the meeting.”
A teacher might give a student a slap on the wrist for forgetting their homework.
In a workplace, a manager might give an employee a slap on the wrist for a minor infraction.

36. Tickle off

This phrase is used to describe a gentle or light scolding. It implies that the scolding is not severe or harsh.

For example, a parent might say to their child, “Don’t do that again, or I’ll have to tickle you off.”
In a casual conversation, someone might say, “My boss tickled me off for being late to the meeting.”
A friend might jokingly say, “You better watch out, or I’ll tickle you off for forgetting my birthday.”

37. Give a rocket

This phrase is used to describe a harsh or severe scolding. It implies that the scolding is forceful and may involve strong words or criticism.

For instance, a teacher might give a student a rocket for not completing their homework.
In a workplace setting, a manager might give an employee a rocket for making a serious mistake.
A coach might give a player a rocket for not following the team’s rules.

38. Haul over the coals

This phrase is used to describe a thorough and intense scolding. It implies that the scolding is exhaustive and covers all aspects of the person’s behavior or actions.

For example, a parent might haul their child over the coals for breaking curfew and lying about their whereabouts.
In a professional setting, a boss might haul an employee over the coals for consistently underperforming.
A teacher might haul a student over the coals for cheating on a test.

39. Light into

This phrase is used to describe an angry and forceful scolding. It implies that the scolding involves strong emotions and may include yelling or harsh words.

For instance, a parent might light into their child for disobeying a direct order.
In a heated argument, one person might light into the other for a perceived betrayal.
A coach might light into a player for not giving their best effort during a game.

40. Scorch

This word is used to describe a sharp and fierce scolding. It implies that the scolding is intense and may leave a lasting impact on the person.

For example, a teacher might scorch a student for plagiarizing their essay.
In a relationship, one partner might scorch the other for repeatedly breaking promises.
A supervisor might scorch an employee for consistently arriving late to work.