give someone the business

present singular third person gives someone the business · participle present giving someone the business · past gave someone the business · participle past given someone the business

1. datedidiomaticTo treat someone harshly or in a wrongful manner, such as by abusing, deceiving, or manipulating.

   “I hope you're right, Mike. I hope you aren't giving me the business.” I grinned at him. “The only one who can get shafted is me.”

   1951, Mickey Spillane, One Lonely Night, Penguin, published 1980

   1 more example

   "They wouldn't waste the women. I'd guess they've got them up at the hotel, taking it in turn to give them the business. Four women only – they won't last till morning."

   1965, Wilbur Smith, The Dark of the Sun, published 2008

   Synonyms: take advantage of

2. datedidiomaticTo harangue, criticize vigorously, berate, or ridicule someone.

   Then the kids at school started giving me the business about being a fairy, called me the African Queen.

   1973, Rita Mae Brown, Rubyfruit Jungle (1977 Randlom House edition), p. 149

   2 more examples

   The Red Dean's utterances, as usual, got on some people's nerves. The irreverent New York Daily News gave him the business, in a full-column editorial, ending; "Nobody curbs these whizbangs in the United States or England, where they are free to be as nutty as their capacities will permit."

   1945 November 26, “Religion: Canterbury Red”, in Time

   They'd switch frequencies and there she'd be like Tokyo Rose, giving them the business. “What you doing here, Marines? You come to kill us? Why? We haven't done nothing to you.”

   1982, Elmore Leonard, Cat Chaser, →ISBN

   Synonyms: diss, dress down, make fun of, scold