Crossword Genius

It's wrong to dash about and reprimand? (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

chastise

'reprimand?' is the definition.
(I know that chastise is a type of bawl out)

'it's wrong to dash about' is the wordplay.
'wrong' indicates anagramming the letters.
'to dash' becomes 'chase' (both can mean to run around).
'about' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'its' with letters rearranged gives 'tis'.
'tis' placed inside 'chase' is 'CHASTISE'.

'and' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for chastise that I've seen before include "Whip perhaps" , "Castigate or punish" , "Inflict physical corrective treatment" , "Berate" , "Severely reprimand" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app