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

"I was going to give it to her," Myha'la said tearfully.

From BBC ● Oct. 8, 2026

According to investigators, she gave her driver money and instructed him to give it to a performer.

From Salon ● Sep. 5, 2026

As my husband was quick to note, we could use the money for a family vacation or simply give it to our sons, a gift they would welcome more than anything else we could offer.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 1, 2026

"They'll be cryopreserved, so we can make a bunch of doses and give it to different patients," Sunwoo said.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 25, 2026

And she was always happy to give it to people in need.

From "Root Magic" by Eden Royce

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Related Words

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