Phrase guide

give someone what-for

verb · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To admonish or berate; to speak angrily at somebody.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • He really gave the kid what-for about the baseball through his window.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.