dressing-down / lecture
die Standpauke, die Standpauken
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dressing-down
A detailed and usually stern reprimand or criticism that someone receives because of a mistake or bad behavior.
Wegen seiner ständigen Verspätungen bekam er von seiner Chefin eine ordentliche Standpauke.
Because of his constant lateness, his boss gave him a proper dressing-down.
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Standpauken |
| genitive | der Standpauke |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Standpauke | die Standpauken |
| accusative | die Standpauke | die Standpauken |
| dative | der Standpauke | den Standpauken |
| genitive | der Standpauke | der Standpauken |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
'Standpauke' (dressing-down) is used mainly in spoken and informal language. The word is especially appropriate for personal situations in which someone is criticized clearly and at length.
Nach dem Streit hielt ihm sein Vater eine lange Standpauke.
After the argument, his father gave him a long dressing-down.
Common expressions include 'eine Standpauke bekommen' (to get a dressing-down), 'jemandem eine Standpauke halten' (to give someone a dressing-down), and 'eine Standpauke erteilen' (to issue a dressing-down). In 'jemandem eine Standpauke halten', the person being criticized is in the dative.
Die Mitarbeiterin bekam wegen des Fehlers eine Standpauke.
The employee got a dressing-down because of the mistake.
Der Trainer hielt den Spielern nach dem Spiel eine Standpauke.
The coach gave the players a dressing-down after the game.
The reason for a 'Standpauke' (dressing-down) is often given with 'wegen' (because of) and a genitive, or with 'für' (for) and an accusative. This allows you to explain which mistake or behavior triggered the criticism.
Er bekam eine Standpauke wegen seines unhöflichen Verhaltens.
He got a dressing-down because of his rude behavior.
Sie erhielt eine Standpauke für das Vergessen wichtiger Unterlagen.
She received a dressing-down for forgetting important documents.
