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.
See also: give, lot, stick
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 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.
See also: give, somebody, stick
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
See also:
References in periodicals archive ?
I remember being really pumped for that game and I gave stick to everyone on campus especially the boys on the Belhaven team.
Working with kids made me feel on Top of the world; SCOTT MALCOLM'S * LETTER FROM AMERICA *
He said: "Norrie was the kind of player opposition fans gave stick to - but that's because they respected him as a player."
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"Norrie was the kind of player opposition fans gave stick to - but that is because they respected him as a player.
WE'LL DO IT FOR NORRIE; Pars want title more than ever
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