tongue-lashing

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.

The New York federal district court judge gave Doyle a tongue-lashing and sentenced him to six years in prison, twice the time stipulated in his plea bargain, citing his record that included 11 convictions.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 11, 2026

Well, he’s apparently been chatting with Chinese President Xi Jinping about the whole matter, and he’s invited TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew—once the subject of a bipartisan tongue-lashing in Congress—to attend his Monday inauguration.

From Slate • Jan. 17, 2025

Her tongue-lashing is hilarious, at least to us.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 9, 2025

But it didn’t always mean he was about to get a tongue-lashing.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 8, 2024

But the infuriated Strauss dismissed Lawrence’s plea of illness and delivered a vicious tongue-lashing, capping it bluntly with an accusation of cowardice.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik