give (someone) (a lot of) stick

give (someone) (a lot of) stick

To criticize, judge, or disapprove of someone (for something). My parents gave me a lot of stick for my decision to study art in college, instead of law or medicine. I just know my boss is going to give me stick for that accounting error I made last week. The class still gives John a lot of stick for that time his pants fell down in the middle of an oral report.

See also: give, lot, stick