give (someone) (a lot of) stick
give (someone) (a lot of) stick
To criticize, judge, or disapprove of someone (for something). My parents gave me a lot of stick for my decision to study art in college, instead of law or medicine. I just know my boss is going to give me stick for that accounting error I made last week. The class still gives John a lot of stick for that time his pants fell down in the middle of an oral report.
See also: give, lot, stick
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
give somebody ˈstick
(British English, informal) criticize somebody: The crowd gave the players a lot of stick for their terrible performance.See also: give, somebody, stick
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
- give somebody stick
- protest about
- protest about (someone or something)
- cast not the first stone
- be soft on (someone)
- object to
- object to (someone or something)
- the knives are out
- take a poor view of (someone or something)
- censure