have someone's guts for garters

Meaning: To punish someone severely, especially with angry or violent reprimand.

Language: English

Literally: (Already vivid in English)

Category: Body & Senses

Origin: A grotesque image of internal organs being removed and used as garters (leg bands); the phrase expresses extreme rage and the desire to inflict graphic harm.

More idioms — Body & Senses

More English idioms

From our tongue twisters

  • Unique New York. — Three words that jam the 'y/n/k' sequence together — repeat it and it collapses into 'you…
  • Pad kid poured curd pulled cod. — Alternating repetition — the consonants swap at the start of every other word, which is w…
  • Red lorry, yellow lorry. — The 'l/r' alternation drill — deceptively short, yet almost impossible to say fast withou…

Browse all tongue twisters →

← Back to Idioms