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give sb what for
old-fashioned informalDefinition
› to speak angrily to someone whose behaviour you strongly disapprove ofChastising and rebuking
(Definition of give sb what for from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus
© Cambridge University Press)
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You are looking at an entry to do with Chastising & rebuking, but you might be interested in these topics from the Expressing opposition & disapproval topic area:
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give sb the time of day idiom
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give sb their head idiom
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give sb up phrasal verb
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give sb up phrasal verb (END FRIENDSHIP)
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give sb up phrasal verb (NOT EXPECT)
- give sb what for idiom
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give someone a mouthful idiom
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give someone an inch and they'll take a mile idiom
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give sth away phrasal verb (FREE)
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give sth away phrasal verb (SECRET)
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give sth back phrasal verb
Browse the Thesaurus
SMART Thesaurus: Chastising & rebuking
Synonyms and related words:
- admonition noun
- bawl sb out phrasal verb
- be a reproach to sb/sth idiom
- be in sb's face idiom
- bollocking noun
- carpet verb (CRITICIZE)
- crucify verb
- flay sb alive idiom
- give sb a rocket idiom
- jump on sb phrasal verb
- lecture verb
- pick sb up on sth phrasal verb
- put sb in their place idiom
- read (sb) the riot act idiom
- reprimand verb
- scold verb
- send sb away with a flea in their ear idiom
- tear a strip off sb idiom
- throw the book at sb idiom
- tick sb off phrasal verb (SPEAK SEVERELY)
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