give someone what for

短语

发音

AU

词形变化

gives someone what for 三单 giving someone what for 现在分词 gave someone what for 过去式 given someone what for 过去式 given someone what for 过去分词

释义与例句

v.
  1. 1.

    To punish; to rebuke.

    习语 俚语

    2002, Joss Whedon, "The Ballad of Jayne Cobb" in "Jaynestown", Firefly. He robbed from the rich, and he gave to the poor / Stood up to The Man and he gave him what for.

词源

From 19th century, as a threatening rebuke to an impertinent (by 19th century standards) question of "what for?". Parent: "Go to your room." Child: "What for?" Parent (angrily): "Disobey me, and I'll give you 'what for'!"

来源：wiktionary