English idiom "dressing down"

[AndyJoy]

Without Googling, do you know the meaning of "dressing down", as in the sentence, "He received a public dressing down."

 

DH (age 30) said this at work today and was surprised to find that all 7 of his coworkers (aged 22-45) were baffled at his meaning and claimed to have never heard that phrase. Has it fallen out of use?

[Tanaqui]

Well, as an American I'm only familiar with it from books and fanfics set in England.

[zoobie]

I know what it means, but I have no idea if other people do.

[scoutingmom]

I know it...

 

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[HSmomof2]

I know what it means. I've only heard it used by people from either the military or east coast, though.

[SharonM]

I heard it a lot growing up. Western Washington. Small town.

[Tap]

To me, it is a common term (not widely used, but not uncommon), that most people within 10 years of my age would know.  I am not overly educated and know the term, so I would expect others to also. 

 

 

[Mimm]

I know what it means and would expect people to know what it means. But I generally assume people know everything I know and am surprised when they don't. I guess that's rather narcissistic of me. ;)

[Jean in Newcastle]

Sure.  Pretty common phrase.  

[momma2three]

I'm 36 and think of it as a common phrase.

[Arcadia]

My hubby taught our boys what dressing down means a few years ago. It was commonly used when we were kids in the 70s-80s.

[Tsuga]

I haven't heard it used in awhile. Upbraid, chew out, ream, those are what I hear orally more often. Perhaps it is not in vogue.

[Cinder]

Yes, I'm familiar with the term, mostly from my time in the military but I think my mom used it as well.

[Guest]

I'm in the under 30 crowd and am familiar with it. I didn't think it was that obscure.

[kitten18]

I know what it means and would expect people to know what it means. But I generally assume people know everything I know and am surprised when they don't. I guess that's rather narcissistic of me. ;)

Haha. I agree.

[SKL]

I know it, but I have read more than the average American.  I don't know if I've ever heard it on popular media or in "real life."

[gardenmom5]

yes - I know what it means.  yes - I've seen it used at large.  yes - I've associated with those who've used it.

 

reminds me of the time a friend used the word "fungible" in a class, and only dh laughed at the context.

 

and dressing down is far more common than fungible . . . .

[gardenmom5]

 I give up.  apparently, emotcons wipe out my entire post.

 

[Pawz4me]

Sure.  It seems like a fairly common phrase to me.

[Aiden]

I think it's a pretty common phrase, and in context, I understand it.

 

However, when I read only the title of the thread, my first thought was in regard to wardrobe--"dressing down" as opposed to "dressing up." Think versatile clothes--you can dress it up by adding sparkly jewelry and heels, or dress it down by adding a scarf and boots. I think that's the more common usage now, at least among my circles. Maybe that isn't the more common widespread usage, though, since no one else has mentioned it.

[Guest]

I think it's a pretty common phrase, and in context, I understand it.

 

However, when I read only the title of the thread, my first thought was in regard to wardrobe--"dressing down" as opposed to "dressing up." Think versatile clothes--you can dress it up by adding sparkly jewelry and heels, or dress it down by adding a scarf and boots. I think that's the more common usage now, at least among my circles. Maybe that isn't the more common widespread usage, though, since no one else has mentioned it.

I thought of this meaning at first glance.

 

I know what it means, but I haven't heard it used in conversation in a long time. Similar terms would be more often used.

[kewb]

From the title I also went to clothes. But I also know what it means in a business setting. Although I have not heard it used in a work related setting for quite awhile.

[The Girls' Mom]

It was used quite a bit when I was growing up.  Most adults in my area would probably know what it meant.  I wouldn't really expect people younger than me to know because I don't hear it used much any more.

[Laura Corin]

Yes, I know what it means (I'm 52).

 

L

[Jenny in Florida]

Yes, I know what it means, and I've used it occasionally.

[Scarlett]

Yes I know it.

[Sarah CB]

Without Googling, do you know the meaning of "dressing down", as in the sentence, "He received a public dressing down."

 

DH (age 30) said this at work today and was surprised to find that all 7 of his coworkers (aged 22-45) were baffled at his meaning and claimed to have never heard that phrase. Has it fallen out of use?

 

I know the meaning, but dh is a lawyer and I think it might come up more in legal circles?

[Word Nerd]

I know what it means but can't remember the last time I heard or read it anywhere. I wouldn't say it's commonly used at all now, so I can see why people would be unfamiliar with the phrase.

[Bluegoat]

I know it and have heard it used.

 

Though, thinking about it, less often by younger people. 

 

I'm 39 and live in eastern Canada.

[VaKim]

Yep. I've "always" known it, though it isn't actually used around here. Probably learned it from books or TV at some point.

[Ellie]

Without Googling, do you know the meaning of "dressing down", as in the sentence, "He received a public dressing down."

 

DH (age 30) said this at work today and was surprised to find that all 7 of his coworkers (aged 22-45) were baffled at his meaning and claimed to have never heard that phrase. Has it fallen out of use?

 

Yes, I do. I haven't heard it used in a long time, though.

[Danestress]

Without Googling, do you know the meaning of "dressing down", as in the sentence, "He received a public dressing down."

 

DH (age 30) said this at work today and was surprised to find that all 7 of his coworkers (aged 22-45) were baffled at his meaning and claimed to have never heard that phrase. Has it fallen out of use?

.

 

I did not know that was a British idiom. I'm very familiar with the usage in the military where it seeed to be very common.

[Butter]

I'm 37 and I know what it means.

[Ewe Mama]

Yes, I'm familiar with the term, mainly through reading.

[HelenNotOfTroy]

I know it, but I can't remember the last time I ran across it.

[tm919]

I'm familiar with it, but I don't really use it myself.

[indigomama]

I'm familiar with it from books. I don't think I've ever heard anyone use it IRL.  (I'm mid-30s from the West Coast)

 

 

[HS Mom in NC]

I knew what it meant.  I'm from the American SW and have heard it used here.

[albeto.]

Very familiar with it.

 

And now I know what "getting a bollocking" means, too.

 

^_^

[SproutMamaK]

I'm familiar with it, but not sure from where. Then again, I'm Canadian which likely has a bit more familiarity with British expressions. I would also not be surprised to here someone use the term to describe going out in workout or grubby clothes, though, as in the opposite of "dressing up". I've never HEARD anyone say that.... but I can imagine someone using it in that context.

[redsquirrel]

I know what it means and have used it and heard it used in conversation. I don't consider it to be a 'British' saying though, just an expression.

[Ravin]

I know the term. I'd not expect to hear it in a working class setting outside the military, though.

[Lady Florida.]

Yes, I know what it means and I've heard it only outside military settings (I've not been around military people much in my life). However, I can't say I've heard it used in recent years. 

[TranquilMind]

Without Googling, do you know the meaning of "dressing down", as in the sentence, "He received a public dressing down."

 

DH (age 30) said this at work today and was surprised to find that all 7 of his coworkers (aged 22-45) were baffled at his meaning and claimed to have never heard that phrase. Has it fallen out of use?

Why, yes I do. 

 

I'm constantly amazed at the things that people in online groups have never heard. 

[Tammi K]

I know it. I'm surprised his co-workers didn't.  I would assume it was just one of those things floating around in the general knowledge pool.

[Kareni]

I also know the meaning; however, I can't recall ever hearing it spoken.  I'm far more accustomed to reading it.

 

Regards,

Kareni

[poppy]

I know. I think the youngster were all just putting up a unified front.  Honestly.

[Melissa in Australia]

Yes We are familiar with it. it is an expression that is used in Australia.

 

ds19 and ds18 for one last night. DH took them outside for it- The whole neighborhood was certainly entertained. Biggest trouble they have ever been in  in their whole life.

[AmandaVT]

I know what it means and have used it before - a fine expression!