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.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

give it to

Is this an opportunity to leave it to heirs, give it to charity or further your own education?

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 27, 2026

"Within about an hour of me contacting them, somebody was at my door from the hospital asking for the paperwork back. I refused to give it to them," she said.

From BBC ● Jul. 18, 2026

“They just said, ‘Have him resubmit his application and we’ll give it to him.’”

From Salon ● Jun. 2, 2026

Asked who could give it to him, I said, “I can.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 26, 2026

I’m gonna give it to you straight: grown-ups lie.

From Full of Beans by Jennifer L. Holm

Related Words

• afflict
• bother
• depress
• encumber
• hamper
• hinder
• lade
• oppress
• overload
• overwhelm
• weigh down