Phrase guide

give 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 scold; to punish, especially verbally.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, transitive

Examples

  • When she found out, she really gave him what for.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: penalize, teach someone a lesson, amerce, castigate, chasten, chastise, come down on, correct, fix someone's wagon, have someone's guts for garters, have someone's head, have someone's hide, give it to someone, give someone what for, give what for, gruel, malavogue, nail someone to the wall, penance, punish, tan someone's hide, tar out

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.