beat with a cane
censure severely or angrily; The mother scolded the child for entering a strangers car; The deputy ragged the Prime Minister; The customer dressed down the waiter for bringing cold soup
[ Syn: call on the carpet , take to task , rebuke , rag , trounce , reproof , lecture , reprimand , jaw , dress down , call down , scold , chide , berate , bawl out , remonstrate , chew out , chew up , have words , lambast ]