sock it to

Idioms  

1. Deliver a physical blow, forceful comment, or reprimand to, as in The judge often socks it to the jury in a murder case. This idiom uses sock in the sense of “strike hard.” It is also put as an imperative, as in Sock it to them, kid! or Sock it to me!, which is sometimes used to give encouragement but can also have sexual overtones. [Second half of 1800s]

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

sock it to

Higher borrowing costs would sock it to home buyers, heavy credit-card users and anyone needing a loan.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 15, 2026

You can be tough enough to sock it to the henchman.

From The Guardian ● Apr. 9, 2020

“Her last words to me … were “‘Go back up there and sock it to ‘em!,’”

From Washington Times ● Sep. 1, 2018

“Her last words to me … were “‘Go back up there and sock it to ’em!,'”

From Seattle Times ● Aug. 31, 2018

But the advice of Patrick pere had always been: "Lay low until you see a good chanst, an' then sock it to 'em good and plenty."

From Little Citizens by Myra Kelly

Related Words

• contend
• disagree
• dispute
• quarrel
• quibble
• squabble