give someone hell
give (one) hell
1. To give someone a hard time by means of aggressive actions or attitude. I'd avoid the boss today—he's already given me hell.
2. To scold or reprimand someone, often severely. Mom will give you hell if you come home after curfew yet again.
3. To produce or present problems or challenges for one. This discrepancy in the budget is really giving me hell—I still haven't figured it out.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
give someone hell
Also, give someone the devil. Scold someone harshly. For example, The boss gave them hell for not finishing in time, or Mom will give her the devil if she doesn't get home soon. Also see give it to, def. 1.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
give someone hell
1. If someone gives you hell, they make your life very unpleasant by behaving badly towards you. She gets teased at school. The children give her hell, particularly the older boys. Their younger son gives them hell.
2. If someone gives you hell, they shout at you or speak to you angrily because you have done something wrong. I got home three hours late and my mum gave me hell.
3. If a part of your body is giving you hell, it is very painful. My back's been giving me hell.
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012
give someone (or get) hell
reprimand someone (or be reprimanded) severely. informalFarlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
give someone hell
1. tv. to bawl someone out; to scold someone severely. (Use caution with hell.) The boss just gave me hell about it.
2. tv. to trouble someone. (Use caution with hell.) This problem is giving us hell at the office.
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.