🇯🇵Japanese Source WordCode: JA

誰かを叱る

Pronunciation / Transliteration: dareka o shikaru

🇬🇧 Direct English Meaning:
Give Someone the Business/ɡɪv ˈsʌm.wʌn ðə ˈbɪz.nɪs/
idiomCEFR B2 (Upper)Top #1500 frequency
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🇯🇵 Example Sentence in Japanese:

"上司は彼を遅刻したことで叱った。"

Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

2 senses
As idiom
  1. 1

    To criticize or reprimand someone, often in a harsh or aggressive manner.

    "When he arrived late again, the manager really gave him the business."
  2. 2

    To treat someone unfairly or to take advantage of them.

    "The contractor gave us the business by overcharging for the repairs."

Thesaurus & Semantic Spectrum

Antonyms & Contrasting Words (1)

Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

The phrase 'give someone the business' likely originated in American English in the early 20th century, where 'business' referred to a serious or harsh treatment. It evolved from earlier uses of 'business' meaning trouble or difficulty, reflecting a shift towards a more colloquial expression of reprimanding or scolding someone.

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