ticking-off

I would expect Gordon to get a stern ticking-off at the least. '

Gordon Brown may be about to face censure, not that you would know from the BBC Not a sheep 2009

She said that my uncle had given her a proper ticking-off for never seeing that I was no threat to her, and she was willing, if I were, to try and sort things out between us.

They didn’t read Pitchfork or Stereogum or Gorilla vs. Bear or Hipster Runoff Josh Spilker 2010

Inspector Jenks regretfully decided that he would have to give Fatty a good ticking-off.

Separate Douglas Light 2010

Mr. Goon felt that he would quite like to give somebody a really good ticking-off!

Separate Douglas Light 2010

So that ticking-off from the boss as you arrive smiling at your desk may come as something of a shock.

Upbeat Music Creates Illusion That Everyone Around You Is Happy | Impact Lab 2009

Had Mrs Burrows made her remark in Parliament Square, rather than in a radio studio, she might have received more than just an offensive ticking-off from the local thought police.

New Labour New Fascists 2005

Had Mrs Burrows made her remark in Parliament Square, rather than in a radio studio, she might have received more than just an offensive ticking-off from the local thought police.

Archive 2005-12-01 2005

A perfectly normal ticking-off can feel like the end of the world to them.

A Place of Execution McDermid, Val 1999

She said that my uncle had given her a proper ticking-off for never seeing that I was no threat to her, and she was willing, if I were, to try and sort things out between us.

To The Hilt Francis, Dick, 1920- 1996

'Yes, Minister,' replied Turk, expecting a resumption of the ticking-off he had received the previous night.

Gridlock Elton, Ben 1991