give what for
Deliver harsh rebuke
To give someone what for is to scold or punish them severely: Mom gave me what for when she found out I'd skipped school.
The phrase is somewhat old-fashioned, more common in British than American English.
It implies a thorough dressing-down rather than mild criticism.
- tell offScold sharply
- scoldRebuke harshly
- read the riot actSeverely warn of consequences
- punishPenalize for wrongdoing
- bawl outScold someone harshly
reprimand · dress down · lecture · chastise · rake over the coals · berate · rebuke · take to task · let someone have it · admonish · upbraid · carpet · penalize · reproach · criticize · tongue-lashing · get on someone's case · retaliate
give what forpraise
Expression of approval
commend · compliment · congratulate · applaud · laud
give what forlet off the hook
let slide · cut some slack · let off · turn a blind eye · look the other way
give, gives, gave, given, giving, giver, givers, forgive, forgave