give someone what for
(idiomatic, slang) To punish; to rebuke.
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Born ~1850 · no dated citations yetDefinitions
(idiomatic, slang) To punish; to rebuke.
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(idiomatic) To receive a negative thing: to receive punishment; to receive a retaliation; to receive a beating; to get what's coming to one; to feel someone's wrath.
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(UK, slang) To verbally abuse or intimidate.