give what for

verb1

•
To scold; to punish, especially verbally.
- When she found out, she really gave him what for.

forms

gave what for · given what for · giving what for · gives what for

give someone what for

verb2

•
To admonish or berate; to speak angrily at somebody.
- He really gave the kid what-for about the baseball through his window.
•
(slang) To punish; to rebuke.
- She gave him what for all right. But you could see she was ever so pleased and she went around telling everybody about it. — 2007

forms

gave someone what for · gave someone what-for · given someone what for · given someone what-for · giving someone what for · giving someone what-for · gives someone what for · gives someone what-for