IdiomDaily Life
English
Englishgive someone what for
Meaning: To scold or punish someone severely.
Example: “When he came home at dawn, his mother gave him what for.”
Origin: Probably from a punished person asking "What for?" and getting the answer by force. The phrase is British, recorded from the late 19th century.
Equivalents in other languages
Polish: Gdzie raki zimują Literally: Where the crayfish spend the winter
French: Montrer de quel bois on se chauffe Literally: To show what wood one heats oneself with
More English idioms
- wish the ground would swallow one up To feel so embarrassed that one wants to disappear.
- have one's head screwed on To be sensible and practical.
- a bird-brain A silly or scatterbrained person.
- toss one's cookies To vomit.
- put on a brave face To look cheerful or confident while feeling otherwise.
- throw up one's hands To show that one gives up, in despair or frustration.
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