give what for

give what for
To scold; to punish, especially verbally.

When she found out, she really gave him what for.


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  • I'll give what for! — I ll give (you) what for! informal something that you say when you are very angry with someone and intend to punish them. I ll give you what for, young lady, coming home at 2 o clock in the morning! …   New idioms dictionary

  • give someone what for — informal phrase to punish someone or speak to them severely because they have done something wrong Thesaurus: to punish someonesynonym punishment of being legally killedhyponym Main entry: give * * * …   Useful english dictionary

  • give them what for — give them a lecture, scold them, give you hell    After the team lost a game, the coach gave em what for …   English idioms

  • give someone what for informal, — give someone what for informal, chiefly Brit. punish or scold someone severely. → give …   English new terms dictionary

  • give someone what for — ► give someone what for informal , chiefly Brit. punish or scold someone severely. Main Entry: ↑what …   English terms dictionary

  • what for — spoken 1) used for asking the reason for something I need to have your name and address . What for? what ... for: What did you hit him for? 2) informal old fashioned if you give someone what for, you punish them If I catch that boy in my garden… …   English dictionary

  • give somebody what for — get/give sb what ˈfor idiom (BrE, informal) to be punished/punish sb severely • I ll give her what for if she does that again. Main entry: ↑whatidiom …   Useful english dictionary

  • what\ for — I. interrog. For what reason; why? I told Mary what I was going to town for. What are you running for? Often used alone as a question. Billy s mother told him to wear his hat. What for? he asked. Compare: how come II. n. phr. informal A scolding …   Словарь американских идиом

  • give you what for — lecture you, give you hell    If you miss hockey practice, the coach will give you what for …   English idioms

  • what for — 1. adverb For what reason; why. He wants four copies of it? What for? 2. noun An unspecified punishment or rebuke When your dad gets home, hell give you what f …   Wiktionary

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