give what for en · VERB
Pronunciation
- (Australia) audio
Meanings
-
(idiomatic, transitive) To scold; to punish, especially verbally.
When she found out, she really gave him what for.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| giving what for | Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| gave what for | Tense=Past | lexicographic | |
| given what for | Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| gives what for | Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres | lexicographic |
Synonyms
teach someone a lesson · give someone what for · give what for · come down on · punish · malavogue · teach someone a lesson · penalize · nail someone to the wall · castigate · correct · give it to someone · amerce · tan someone's hide · have someone's hide · gruel · fix someone's wagon · chastise · have someone's guts for garters · penalize · penance · chasten · tar out · have someone's head