talking-to
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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That might be a little heavy-handed when a simple talking-to, or a vote-whipping operation that’s more on top of things, could suffice.
From Slate ● Sep. 5, 2026
Later that year, in a blog post on his personal website, Bosworth recounted a talking-to he had once received from Sheryl Sandberg, the company’s then-head of operations, about his overbearing way of communicating.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 25, 2026
It worked, although he got a talking-to about knowing his role.
From Salon ● Sep. 9, 2025
The “Oppenheimer” and “Mary Poppins Returns” star gave Gosling a stern talking-to onstage, calling him out for ruining their “The Fall Guy” promotional spot and for embarrassing himself by “Kenning” again.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 15, 2024
I could be written up, banished to bras, called in for a talking-to by a deeply disappointed Roberta.
From "Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America" by Barbara Ehrenreich
After a week or so of criticism and talking-tos from his staff, Biden reversed his position.
From Slate ● Jul. 12, 2022
He gave us a couple of stern talking-tos across his seven years.
From BBC ● Jun. 16, 2022
Despite repeated questionings and stern talking-tos both at school and at home, she had refused to say anything about what had caused this outburst.
From "Little Fires Everywhere" by Celeste Ng
All the stern talking-tos she’d gotten at the orphanage, all the wagging fingers and tight faces...they circled back around her like a whirlwind of shame.
From "Dactyl Hill Squad" by Daniel José Older
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