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Synonyms

give it to

Idioms  

  1. Punish or reprimand, as in Dad really gave it to Tom for coming in so late. This expression, implying a physical or verbal attack, dates from the late 1500s. Also see give someone hell. In more recent times the expression gave rise to give it to someone straight, meaning “to tell someone something candidly and directly.” For example, I asked the doctor to give it to use straight about Mother's condition.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"If they give it to Senegal, it won't be the end of the world. We will accept because we are satisfied that we reached the final."

From BBC • Mar. 18, 2026

"It makes sense to use the building and give it to the police, to the public authorities," he said.

From Barron's • Feb. 21, 2026

Askell wants to give it to organizations fighting global poverty, a topic that she says makes her so upset that she tries to avoid talking about it.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 9, 2026

They said, “We could send you the Grammy, but we’d like to give it to you.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 30, 2026

“You can document it. I don’t want to be in any video, though. And I want to give it to her before you post.”

From "Bye Forever, I Guess" by Jodi Meadows

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.