get a lot of stick

get (a lot of) stick (from someone)

To receive strong criticism, disapproval, or judgment (for something). I got a lot of stick from my parents over my decision to pursue a degree in art, rather than law or medicine. I'm going to get stick from my boss for that accounting error I made last week. John still gets a lot of stick for that time his pants fell down in the middle of class.

See also: get, lot, stick

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

get a lot of stick

or

come in for some stick

BRITISH, INFORMAL

COMMON If you get a lot of stick or come in for some stick, you are criticized a lot, often in an unfair way. I got a lot of stick when we returned from the India tour and some of it I deserved. Note: You can also say that you give someone a lot of stick. The critics gave me a lot of stick for that performance but I don't think it was that bad.

See also: get, lot, of, stick

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012