give someone the business

give (someone) the business

slang

1.To subject someone to harsh treatment, teasing, mockery, or verbal harassment. The older players on the team are always giving younger players the business. Protesters gave the defendant the business as he left the court today. My grandmother was a pioneer in this field back when men would give women the business just for being there.

2.To scold, punish, or rebuke someone very severely. I know my boss is going to give me the business when she finds out I lost our most lucrative account. Jimmy's parents gave him the business after he broke the living room lamp. They're only going to give me the business for this stupid prank because I'm the only one on the security footage.

3.To kill someone. The boss told Ray to give the informant the business. Dude, this is really dangerous. If he catches on that you betrayed him, he'll have one of his thugs give you the business. Because she's the prosecution's star witness, I'm worried that the mob will give her the business before she ever gets a chance to testify against them.

See also: business, give

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

give someone the business

1. tv. to harass someone; to scold someone. The guys have been giving me the business about my haircut.

2. tv. to kill someone. (Underworld.) Lefty wanted to give Rocko the business for being so damn perfect.

See also: business, give, someone

McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.