# give someone beans

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/give-someone-beans
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To scold or reprimand someone severely.

## Examples

- My boss gave me beans for being late again.
- The coach gave the team beans after they played poorly during the second half.
- The manager gave the entire department beans for failing to meet the quarterly targets despite the extra resources provided.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.