give (someone) (a lot of) stick
(redirected from gave 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.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
give somebody ˈstick
(British English, informal) criticize somebody: The crowd gave the players a lot of stick for their terrible performance.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017