to give someone a
41give someone a fair crack of the whip — give (someone) a fair crack of the whip British & Australian, informal to give someone an opportunity to do something. Will you make sure all the speakers are given a fair crack of the whip in the debate? …
42give someone a leg up — give (someone) a leg up informal to help someone to be more successful. It must give you a leg up if you want to be an actor and your parents are both in the profession …
43give (someone) a piece of (your) mind — informal to speak angrily to someone because they have done something wrong. I ve had enough of him coming home late. I m going to give him a piece of my mind when he gets in tonight …
44give (someone) a run for (their) money — to compete very strongly against someone who is expected to win a competition. I think only Liverpool will be able to give Manchester United a run for their money next season …
45give someone a tinkle — give (someone) a tinkle old fashioned, informal to telephone someone. Okay then, I ll give you a tinkle when I get home …
46Give (someone) an inch and (they'll) take a mile. — Give (someone) an inch and (they ll) take a mile. something that you say which means that if you allow someone to behave badly at all, they will start to behave very badly. I m always wary about making concessions to these people. Give them an… …
47give someone grief — give (someone) grief informal to criticize someone angrily. Don t give me any grief I ve done all I can! …
48give someone the benefit of the doubt — give (someone) the benefit of the doubt to believe something good about someone, rather than something bad, when you have the possibility of doing either. After hearing his explanation, I was prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt …
49give someone (a) free rein — give (someone/something) (a) free rein to allow someone or something complete freedom. The owners gave the chef free reign to create a new menu. She was afraid to give free rein to her feelings …
50give someone short shrift — give (someone/something) short shrift to give very little attention to someone or something, either because you are not interested in them or because you are annoyed with them. A planning application for a new nightclub in the town centre was… …