Give someone the business

Meaning

Scold, pressure, or harshly criticize someone.

Usage

Used when someone gets grilled or reprimanded.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

Military and industrial slang from the 1920s describing tough treatment.

Popular in mid twentieth century American speech and film noir.