English Explanatory Dictionary

give someone what for

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To punish; to rebuke.

Pronunciation

en-au-give someone what for.ogg

Word forms

give someone what for gives someone what for giving someone what for gave someone what for given someone what for

Etymology

From 19th century, as a threatening rebuke to an impertinent (by 19th century standards) question of "what for?". Parent: "Go to your room." Child: "What for?" Parent (angrily): "Disobey me, and I'll give you 'what for'!"

Synonyms

give someone a piece of one's mind let someone have it give it to someone give what for admonish animadvert bash bawl out slash lash blame scorch blast berate berisp castigate censure charge chastise chew out chide condemn criticize denounce denunciate deprecate derogate dispraise drag dress down eat someone alive excoriate find fault fulminate get at get down get up give somebody a piece of one's mind give somebody what-for inveigh lace into lambaste lay into lecture light into objurgate pooh-pooh put someone on blast rate read somebody the riot act rebuke reprehend reprimand reproach reprove rip into rubbish savage scold skewer
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