give someone what for

== English == === Etymology === From 19th century, as a threatening rebuke to an impertinent (by 19th century standards) question of "what for?". === Pronunciation === === Verb === give someone what for (third-person singular simple present gives someone what for, present participle giving someone what for, simple past gave someone what for, past participle given someone what for) (idiomatic, slang) To punish; to rebuke. Synonyms: give someone a piece of one's mind, let someone have it; give it to someone, give what for; see also Thesaurus:criticize, Thesaurus:punish 2002, Joss Whedon, "The Ballad of Jayne Cobb" in "Jaynestown", Firefly. He robbed from the rich, and he gave to the poor / Stood up to The Man and he gave him what for. ==== Quotations ==== For more quotations using this term, see Citations:give someone what for. ==== Translations ====