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Region: US | Usage example: She gave the team the business for missing the deadline.

Give someone the business

Meaning

Scold, pressure, or harshly criticize someone.

Usage

Used when someone gets grilled or reprimanded.

Origin & History

Origin notes can vary by region and source; this page gives the commonly reported explanation and usage context.

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

Popular in mid twentieth century American speech and film noir.

Related Idioms

Give someone the cold shoulder

Deliberately ignore someone.

Give someone the cold shoulder

Ignore or snub someone intentionally.

Give someone the benefit of the doubt

Assume someone has good intentions despite uncertainty.

More Idioms

Break the ice

To do or say something to relieve tension or get conversation going in a social situation.

Cut to the chase

Skip ahead to the most important or exciting part of something.

The ball is in your court

It is now your turn to take action or make a decision.

Throw in the towel

To concede defeat or admit a struggle isn't worth continuing.