give out
To complain, sulk, chastise.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“My teacher gave out because I forgot my homework again.”
“The manager gave out to the team for missing the deadline, even though the delay was not their fault.”
“Despite his efforts to remain composed, the supervisor gave out at length regarding the persistent lack of discipline displayed by the junior staff.”
Derived from the Old English *giefan* and *ūt*, the phrasal verb is cognate with the German *ausgeben*, which carries the sense of spending, paying, or producing an output.
- 01
don't give up your day job
Somewhat sarcastic but usually good-natured advice used to criticise a person's degree of talent (especially in music or other performing arts), implying that they are unlikely to be successful.
- 02
give a damn
To be concerned about, have an interest in, to care (about something).
- 03
give a fuck
To care; to give a shit.
- 04
give a good account of oneself
To act in a creditable manner.
- 05
give a hang
give a hoot; give a damn (to care about; to place value on something)
- 06
give a hoot
To care about; to place value on something.
- 07
give a light
To care.
- 08
give a monkey's
To care; to have an interest or concern.
Last updated August 10, 2026