dress down

verb

dressed down; dressing down; dresses down

transitive verb

: to reprove severely

intransitive verb

: to dress casually especially for reasons of fashion

Synonyms

• baste
• bawl out
• berate
• call down
• castigate
• chastise
• chew out
• flay
• hammer
• jaw
• keelhaul
• lambaste
• lambast
• lecture
• rag
• rail (at or against)
• rant (at)
• rate
• ream (out)
• rebuke
• reprimand
• reproach
• scold
• score
• tongue-lash
• upbraid

Examples of dress down in a Sentence

dressed down for boorish behavior at the dance

Recent Examples on the Web

The air of importance extends to the unofficial dress code guests seem to follow—suits aren't uncommon, nor are slacks or blazers, though they may be dressed down over mini skirts or paired with sneakers. —Madison Flager, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Aug. 2024

One of the more memorable moments came in 1988, when Democrat Lloyd Bentsen, Michael Dukakis’ running mate, dressed down Dan Quayle, the GOP nominee running with George H.W. Bush. —Dominic Patten, Deadline, 1 Oct. 2024

The They Cloned Tyrone actor dressed down for the occasion, wearing a pair of distressed jeans and a white T-shirt. —Raven Brunner, Peoplemag, 24 Sep. 2024

Semi-casual yet semi-formal, they can easily be dressed down with a cardigan and loafers for work, or dressed up with a blouse and knee-high boots for date night. —Victoria Montalti, refinery29.com, 18 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1852, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Kids Definition

dress down

verb

1

: to criticize severely

2

: to dress casually