whistle for something

(one) can whistle for it

A phrase used to indicate the intent to withhold something from someone. After the way she treated me yesterday, I refuse to do her laundry anymore—she can whistle for it from now on!
See also: can, whistle
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

whistle for something

OLD-FASHIONED
If you tell someone that they can whistle for something, you are telling them rudely that you will not give it to them. And if he wants a pay-rise, as far as I'm concerned, he can whistle for it! Note: There was an old superstition among sailors that they could make the wind blow by whistling.
See also: something, whistle
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
See also:
  • (one) can whistle for it
  • a turn of phrase
  • a mystery to (one)
  • appear to
  • able to do
  • able to do it
  • a change of heart
  • a shoulder to cry on
  • a piece of the action
  • a piece/slice of the action
References in periodicals archive
Wigan also had substitute Ryan Colclough red carded after the final whistle for something he said to referee Mark Heywood, as they suffered a first league defeat since Paul Cook had been appointed manager.
No Payne for Hurst's Shrews
The visitors finished the match with 10 men following Stephane Sessegnon's sending off and Lee Cattermole was also red carded after the final whistle for something he said to referee Mike Dean.
O'Neill's outburst after flare-up
Cattermole steered clear of trouble for the rest of the game, only to be sent off long after the final whistle for something he said.
Ugly scenes spoilt a great derby meeting