1
general::
Phrase(s): dress someone down
to bawl someone out; to give someone a good scolding. • The drill sergeant dressed down the entire squadron for failing inspection. • I’m really late. I know my parents will dress me down when I get home.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs
2
general::
1. Scold, reprimand, as in The sergeant will dress down the entire unit. In the 15th century the verb dress alone was used in the sense of "punish," down being added several centuries later. It Also gave rise to the noun dressing down for punishment with blows or words. For example, The teacher gave the girls a severe dressing down. 2. Wear informal clothes, as in It's best to dress down for a party like a barbecue. [Mid-1900s] For the antonym, see DRESS UP.
American Heritage Idioms