Scolding
91read the riot act — {v. phr.} To give someone a strong warning or scolding. * /Three boys were late to class and the teacher read the riot act to them./ …
92slap down — {v.}, {slang} 1. To stop (someone, usually in a lower position or job) from doing or saying something, in a rough way or with a scolding; silence. * /When Billy talked back, the teacher slapped him down./ 2. To put a quick stop to; refuse roughly …
93tail between one's legs — {n. phr.} State of feeling beaten, ashamed, or very obedient, as after a scolding or a whipping. * /The army sent the enemy home with their tails between their legs./ * /The boys on the team had boasted they would win the tournament, but they… …
94the business — {n.}, {slang} Usually used with give or get . 1. All that you are able to do; greatest effort. * /Johnny gave the tryouts the business but he failed to make the team./ 2. The most harm possible; the greatest damage or hurt. * /Fred got the… …
95the works — {n. plural}, {slang} 1. Everything that can be had or that you have; everything of this kind, all that goes with it. * /When the tramp found $100, he went into a fine restaurant and ordered the works with a steak dinner./ 1b. See: SHOOT THE WORKS …
96two cents — {n.} {informal} 1. Something not important or very small; almost nothing. * /Paul was so angry that he said for two cents he would quit the team./ * /When John saw that the girl he was scolding was lame, he felt like two cents./ 2. or[two cents… …
97what for(2) — {n. phr.}, {informal} A scolding, or other punishment. Usually used with get or give . * /Tom got what for from his father for answering him rudely, and I heard him crying in the house./ * /The teacher gave me what for because I was late./ …
98at worst — or[at the worst] {adv. phr.} 1. Under the worst conditions; as the worst possibility. * /When Don was caught cheating in the examination he thought that at worst he would get a scolding./ Compare: AT MOST. Contrast AT BEST. 2. In the least… …
99bark worse than one's bite — {informal} Sound or speech more frightening or worse than your actions. * /The small dog barks savagely, but his bark is worse than his bite./ * /The boss sometimes talks roughly to the men, but they know that his bark is worse than his bite./ *… …
100be into something — {v. phr.}, {informal} To have taken something up partly as a nobby, partly as a serious interest of sorts (basically resulting from the new consciousness and self realization movement that originated in the late Sixties). * /Roger s wife is into… …
