telling-off 
noun (plural tellings-off) British informal
A reprimand: your dad gave me such a telling-off...
- One could easily picture her sympathetically tending grazed knees in the playground, while, the next minute, dishing out stern tellings-off in her office.
- If you cry and wet yourself, you don't get a cuddle from the headmistress and a new uniform from lost property, you get a stern telling-off from the director and everyone else calls you ‘nurse wee-pants’ for the rest of the run.
- These may not seem like important statements to you - in truth, they are ideas that are probably best answered with a quick slap round the head, a hefty dose of realism and a sound telling-off for getting too deeply immersed in my own self.
Synonyms
reprimand, rebuke, reproof, admonishment, admonition, reproach, reproval, scolding, remonstration, upbraiding, castigation, lambasting, lecture, criticism, censure
informal rap, rap over the knuckles, slap on the wrist, flea in one's ear, talking-to, dressing-down, earful, roasting, tongue-lashing, bawling-out, caning, blast, blowing up
British informal ticking off, carpeting, wigging, rollicking, rocket, row
Australian/New Zealand informal serve
British vulgar slang bollocking
dated rating
