x gave y what for
1what\ for — I. interrog. For what reason; why? I told Mary what I was going to town for. What are you running for? Often used alone as a question. Billy s mother told him to wear his hat. What for? he asked. Compare: how come II. n. phr. informal A scolding …
2what for — phrasal 1. for what purpose or reason ; why usually used with the other words of a question between what and for < what did you do that for > except when used alone 2. harsh treatment especially by blows or by a sharp reprimand < gave him what… …
3what for — This phrase appears in two nonstandard uses. When it means punishment or reproof (The boss gave George what for because he was late), it constitutes an illiteracy. When what for is substituted for why (What did you do that for?), the expression… …
4what for(2) — {n. phr.}, {informal} A scolding, or other punishment. Usually used with get or give . * /Tom got what for from his father for answering him rudely, and I heard him crying in the house./ * /The teacher gave me what for because I was late./ …
5what for(2) — {n. phr.}, {informal} A scolding, or other punishment. Usually used with get or give . * /Tom got what for from his father for answering him rudely, and I heard him crying in the house./ * /The teacher gave me what for because I was late./ …
6give someone what for — verb 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. Syn: give someone a piece of ones mind, let someone have it …
7give what for — verb To scold; to punish, especially verbally. When she found out, she really gave him what for …
8give them what for — give them a lecture, scold them, give you hell After the team lost a game, the coach gave em what for …
9give somebody what-for — verb To admonish or berate; to speak angrily at somebody. He really gave the kid what for about the baseball through his window …
10what — /wɒt / (say wot) pronoun (interrogative) 1. (used to ask for the specifying of some impersonal thing): what is your name? what did he do? 2. (used to inquire as to the nature, character, class, origin, etc., of a thing or person): what is that… …
