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

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

From The Guardian ● Apr. 9, 2020

The reaction of Americans paying attention was, “Yes, sock it to them, Nikki! About time!”

From Washington Times ● Oct. 14, 2018

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

From Seattle Times ● Aug. 31, 2018

They would, in fact, sock it to China and Mexico.

From Washington Post ● Mar. 25, 2016

"Well, good-by; sock it to 'em; send us in some fat orders."

From A Man of Samples Something about the men he met "On the Road" by Maher, William H.

Related Words

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