noun
scolding; dressing-down; tongue-lashing
A harsh, angry scolding or reprimand. Often used in the set phrase けんつくを食わす (to give someone a scolding).
See also: 剣突を食わす
遅刻したら、上司にけんつくを食わされた。
I got a scolding from my boss for being late.
彼は失敗のことで父からひどいけんつくを食った。
He got a severe dressing-down from his father over the mistake.
The origin is uncertain. It may be related to 剣 (けん, 'sword') and 突く (つく, 'to thrust'), suggesting a sharp verbal attack, but this is speculative.