give someone the business
The phrase "give someone the business" is an idiomatic expression that typically involves treating someone harshly or unfairly, often in a verbal or manipulative manner.
Definition
B2General
(dated, informal)To treat someone harshly or unfairly, often through criticism or reprimand.
Example
- They've been giving me the business since I started working here, trying to make me quit.
B2General
(dated, informal)To deceive or trick someone, often in a playful or teasing manner.
Example
- Stop giving me the business and tell me the truth.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "give someone the business":
give someone a hard timelet someone have itgive someone griefgive someone the shitsgive someone the boottake care of businessdo businessdish outtake to the cleanersput someone in their placegive someone a breakbeat up onwipe the floor with someonehand someone his headkick someone's assgive someone the heave-hogive someone line