talking to
Verbal dressing down
A talking to is a stern reprimand or scolding, typically from someone in authority: His mother gave him a good talking to about his grades.
The phrase implies a one-sided conversation where the recipient is expected to listen rather than respond.
Usually preceded by "a" and modified by words like good, serious, or stern.
Informal verbal exchange
- discussionExchange of ideas
- banterPlayful, teasing exchange
- chitchatInformal light conversation
- heart-to-heartSincere personal discussion
gossip · catching up · venting · confiding · sharing · opening up · chatting · gabbing
Giving informed guidance
- counselingProfessional guidance for problems
- coachingGuiding others to improve
- mentoringAdvising someone less experienced
- guidingLeading toward destination
recommending · suggesting · briefing · informing · instructing · explaining · teaching · consulting
Exchange of ideas
- debateFormal argument on issues
- persuasionConvincing through reasoning
- bargainingNegotiating mutually acceptable terms
- reasoningDrawing logical conclusions
mediating · hashing out · working through · compromise · resolution · diplomacy · terms · agreement
Speaking to or handling
- calling outPublicly confronting behavior
- challengingHard to accomplish
- questioningSeeking answers through inquiry
- accusingAlleging guilt or fault
criticizing · demanding · warning · scolding · lecturing · reprimanding · admonishing · chastising
Attending to sound
- attentionFocused mental awareness
- rapportHarmonious mutual connection
- connectionA joining or relation
- eye contactDirect visual connection
empathy · understanding · presence · nodding · responding · active listening · interest · focus
chat
Informal verbal exchange
- discussionExchange of ideas
- banterPlayful, teasing exchange
- chitchatInformal light conversation
heart-to-heart · gossip · catching up · venting · confiding · sharing · opening up · chatting · gabbing · shooting the breeze
advising
Giving informed guidance
- counselingProfessional guidance for problems
- coachingGuiding others to improve
- mentoringAdvising someone less experienced
guiding · recommending · suggesting · briefing · informing · instructing · explaining · teaching · consulting · debriefing
discussion
Exchange of ideas
- debateFormal argument on issues
- persuasionConvincing through reasoning
- bargainingNegotiating mutually acceptable terms
reasoning · mediating · hashing out · working through · compromise · resolution · diplomacy · terms · agreement · settlement
addressing
Speaking to or handling
- calling outPublicly confronting behavior
- challengingHard to accomplish
- questioningSeeking answers through inquiry
accusing · criticizing · demanding · warning · scolding · lecturing · reprimanding · admonishing · chastising · telling off
listening
Attending to sound
- attentionFocused mental awareness
- rapportHarmonious mutual connection
- connectionA joining or relation
eye contact · empathy · understanding · presence · nodding · responding · active listening · interest · focus · acknowledgment
- reproofsscolding, rebuke, reprimand, admonishment, admonition
- scoldingscold, scolding, rebuke, berate, reprimand
talking tophysical punishment
Pain-based behavioral correction
spanking · corporal punishment · beating · hitting · smacking
talking toignoring
Deliberately not noticing
shunning · cold-shouldering · stonewalling · blanking · snubbing
talk, talks, talking, talkative, talker, talked, conversing, talkers, conversationalist