or a bit of enjoyment. It always gives
me a buzz to watch Sally do her act.
Your little joke gave me a buzz.give someone a (good) talking totv.
to scold someone; to lecture someone
sternly. I think I’ll have to give Pete a
good talking to. The teacher gave Jimmy
a talking to.
give someone a (good) working overtv.
to scold or beat someone. The boss gave
me a good working over before firing me.
Fred really gave her a working over
about her performance on the project.
give someone a melvintv. to jerk up
someone’s pants or underwear, drawing
the fabric up sharply between the but-
tocks. (It is assumed that some geek
named Melvin goes about with his un-
derwear in this uncomfortable position.)
If you even try to give me a melvin, I’ll
bust you one. Tom came up behind Fred,
and with a deft motion, gave Fred a melvin
that he would never forget.
give someone an earful 1. tv. to scold
someone. I’m going to give Ralph an
earful for doing that. Sally gave Sam an
earful for the way he treated Mary. 2. tv.
to tell someone surprising secrets. Sally
gave Wally an earful about Pete and the
things he said about Mary. Wa lly g av e
Sally an earful about Todd’s tax problems.
give someone a paintv. to annoy or
bother someone. Please don’t give me
a pain. I’ve had a hard day. You give me
a pain!
give someone five 1. tv. to give someone
a helping hand. Hey, give me five over
here for a minute, will ya? I gotta give
this guy five with the crate. Be right with
you. 2. tv. to slap hands in greeting. (See
also high five; Give me five!) Jerry
gave John five as they passed in the corri-
dor. Don tried to give me five in class,
but missed.
give someone hell 1. tv. to bawl someone
out; to scold someone severely. (Use cau-
tion with hell.) The boss just gave me
hell about it. I’m really going to give
Tom hell when he gets home. 2. tv. to trou-
ble someone. (Use caution with hell.)
My arthritis is giving me hell in this
weather. This problem is giving us hell
at the office.
give someone the ax 1. tv. to dismiss
someone from employment. They had
to give Paul the ax because he was so un-
productive. I was afraid they would give
me the ax. 2. tv. to divorce someone.
Mary gave Fred the ax after only six
months. She gave him the ax because
he wouldn’t stop smoking like he promised.
give someone the brushofftv. to repel
someone; to ignore someone. (See also
brushoff.) Sam was afraid that Mary
was going to give him the brushoff. The
manager gave her the brushoff when she
asked for a raise.
give someone the business 1. tv. to ha-
rass someone; to scold someone. The
guys have been giving me the business
about my haircut. Sam was giving Tom
the business about being late all the time.- tv. to kill someone. (Underworld.)
Lefty wanted to give Rocko the business for
being so damn perfect. Mr. Big told Sam
to give Bart the business.
give someone the finger 1. tv. to display
the middle finger upright as a sign of de-
rision. (The gesture is taboo.) Did one
of you guys give Ted the finger? Some-
body gave the cop the finger. 2. tv. to mis-
treat someone; to insult someone.
You’ve been giving me the finger ever since
I started working here. What’s wrong?
I’m tired of everybody giving me the fin-
ger around here just because I’m new.
give someone the gatetv. to get rid of
someone. The chick was a pest, so I gave
her the gate. He threatened to give me
the gate, so I left.
give someone the go-bytv. to bypass
someone; to ignore someone. (See also
go-by.) Gert gave us all the go-by when
she was so sick. I didn’t mean to give you
the go-by. I’m preoccupied, that’s all.
give someone the nod 1. tv. to signal
someone by nodding. (Not slang.) I
gave Pete the nod, and he started the pro-
cedure. Just give me the nod when you
are ready. 2. tv. to choose someone. (See
give someone a (good) talking to