dish out

dish out something

to give something too freely and in large amounts. The mayor was famous for dishing out political favors to his pals.

Usage notes: often it is criticism or unfriendly remarks that are dished out: She dished out insults as easily as some of us dish out praise. sometimes appears as the full expression you can dish it out but you can't take it you can give criticism freely but you cannot deal with it yourself: I try not to argue with him because I know he can dish it out but he can't take it.

dish the dirt (on someone/something)

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of dish out food (= to serve food)

See also: dish