gave someone the business

A form of give someone the business — To treat someone harshly or in a wrongful manner, such as by abusing, deceiving, or manipulating.

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Meanings

verb
  1. pastsimple past of give someone the business
Cite this entry
APA

gave someone the business. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/gave%20someone%20the%20business

MLA

“gave someone the business.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/gave%20someone%20the%20business. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “gave someone the business,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/gave%20someone%20the%20business.

Source: gave someone the business on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.