have words v : censure severely or angrily; "The mother scolded the child for entering a stranger's car"; "The deputy ragged the Prime Minister"; "The customer dressed down the waiter for bringing cold soup" [syn: {call on the carpet}, {rebuke}, {rag}, {trounce}, {reproof}, {lecture}, {reprimand}, {jaw}, {dress down}, {call down}, {scold}, {chide}, {berate}, {bawl out}, {remonstrate}, {chew out}, {chew up}, {lambaste}, {lambast}]