give (one) a bloody nose

1. Literally, to cause someone's nose to bleed, especially by striking them. Johnny was expelled after he gave one of the boys in class a bloody nose. The dry air in Colorado always gives me a bloody nose when I come to visit. Yes, we did collide, but she only gave me a bloody nose, thank goodness.

2. To inflict damage or defeat on someone during a conflict or competition. Everyone agreed that the political newcomer gave the congressman a bloody nose during their first televised debate. Your point might have been accurate, but you don't give the boss a bloody nose in front of the head of the department! No one expected you to beat a much stronger opponent in the competition, but at least you gave him a bloody nose.

give someone a bloody nose

BRITISH, JOURNALISM

If you give someone a bloody nose in an election, competition or war, you defeat them or harm them. Elections provide an opportunity for voters to give the government a bloody nose. They promised to give the military a bloody nose if it continues its policy of repression. Note: You can also say that a person or a side gets a bloody nose. The Chancellor got a bloody nose in the recent regional election. Note: A bloody nose is used in several other structures with the same meaning. The government last night admitted that it had received a bloody nose from voters after suffering a crushing defeat in the byelection. We sent the enemy home with a bloody nose.

give someone a bloody nose

inflict a resounding defeat on someone.