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 quilting paired with the corduroy collar and simple button closure makes this an easy jacket to dress up or dress down. —Carly Totten, Southern Living, 16 Oct. 2024

Meanwhile, their two sons dressed down, with one wearing a blue button-down shirt and black pants and the other opting for a white shirt and blue jeans. —Raven Brunner, Peoplemag, 17 Sep. 2024

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

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