1. telling off - Noun
2. telling off - Verb
telling off
present participle of tell off
telling off (plural tellings off)
(informal) A reprimand, reproach, or lecture.
He's going to get quite a telling off if his dad ever finds out about it.
telling-off (plural tellings-off or telling-offs)
An instance of telling someone off, a reprimand or scolding.
telling-off
Boys being boys, my two sons were fascinated by the idea of something being shoved up their noses when normally that would result in a telling-off. Source: Internet
The situation was eventually resolved, but she gave me such a firm telling-off I had to go up to the staffroom for a brief cry. Source: Internet