noun
handbagging
Handbagging (noun) means (informal) A harsh telling-off or piece of criticism.
noun
1
(informal) A harsh telling-off or piece of criticism.
"I think the short answer is that six weeks ago the Prime Minister was promising his Back Benchers a handbagging for Europe, but now he is reduced to hand wringing."
— Ed Miliband, Engagements (2011)
"Much of the resistance to women at the altar had always derived from women in the pews; Dr Hewitt's handbagging style helped to undermine the feminists' refrain that these women's conservatism was the result of brutal oppression by men."
— Jonathan Petre, By Sex Divided: The Church of England and Women Priests (1994)
"In Downing Street there was urgent fury, and it was coming from Margaret Thatcher, ready to give a handbagging to anyone who got in her way."
— Jon Sopel, And then Ron said to Maggie (2014)
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Etymology
Formed from handbag and -ing; it originally referred, by metonymy, to Margaret Thatcher's handbag.
Related words
Rhymes for handbagging
See all rhymes for handbagging →Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of handbagging?
"handbagging" (noun) means (informal) A harsh telling-off or piece of criticism.
What is another word for handbagging?
Other words for "handbagging" include slam, stricture, rant, criticism, harangue, tirade.
