Absence of credit bringing reprimand (4,3)
I believe the answer is:
tick off
This could be a double definition.
'absence of credit' is the first definition.
The answer and definition can be both related to thinking as well as being verbs in their base form.
Maybe you can see an association between them that I can't see?
'reprimand' is the second definition.
(I've seen this before)
'bringing' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for tick off that I've seen before include "Indicate checking" , "Put mark on" , "Mark as present; reprove" , "Mark items individually" , "Check through a list - reprimand" .)