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: けんつくを食わす
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.
Usually written in kana; the kanji forms 剣突く and 剣突 are rare.
Rare kanji spelling without okurigana.
Rare kanji spelling; the okurigana く is sometimes included.
The origin is uncertain.