Phrase guide

have someone's hide

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 punish or subdue someone.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: figuratively, idiomatic

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

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

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

An earlier phase of the same metaphor as at tan someone's hide § Etymology. The cognitive effect discussed at ass § Usage notes is operative in these usages concerning a person's hide.

Across languages

Translations

4 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: antaa tupenrapinat — Translations
  • French: avoir la peau de — Translations
  • Polish: dawać w skórę — Translations
  • Polish: dać w skórę — Translations