piece of one's mind, (to give someone) a
piece of one's mind
Frank and severe criticism, censure, as in Chuck was furious and gave him a piece of his mind. The word piece here is used in the sense of "portion," but the portion of the mind alluded to always has a negative opinion. [Second half of 1500s]
See also: mind, of, piece
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
piece of one's mind, (to give someone) a
To express one’s disapproval quite plainly; to give one’s candid opinion. This term has been around since the sixteenth century. John Dryden used it in his play The Maiden Queen (1667, 2.1): “I have told her a piece of my mind already.”
See also: give, of, piece
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
- all of a piece
- all of a piece with (something)
- all of a piece with something
- (all) of a piece
- of a piece
- take a piece out of (one)
- piece of cake
- piece of cake, it's a
- a piece of cake
- be a piece of cake