ENGLISH
REFERENCE

have someone's hide

idiom
Meaning

To punish or subdue someone.


Origin

disputed origin

An earlier phase of the same metaphor as at tan someone's hide § Etymology. The cognitive effect discussed at ass § Usage notes is operative in these usages concerning a person's hide.

Examples
SIMPLE

If you break that vase, your mother will have your hide.

CONTEXTUAL

The boss warned the team that he would have their hide if they missed the deadline again.

COMPLEX

The king threatened to have the hide of any soldier who dared to desert his post during the heat of the battle.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    another nail in someone's coffin

    An event that increases the likelihood of or causes further failure.

  2. 02

    answer someone's prayers

    To be or do exactly what someone has been wishing or asking for.

  3. 03

    answer to someone's prayers

    Exactly what someone has been wishing or asking for.

  4. 04

    apple of someone's eye

    The object of somebody's affections; a person (or sometimes a thing) that someone strongly prefers; a favorite, a loved one.

  5. 05

    bane of someone's existence

    Someone or something that poses a significant problem to someone.

  6. 06

    bash someone's face in

    To beat someone violently.

  7. 07

    bash someone's head

    To beat up someone violently.

  8. 08

    be someone's to lose

    To be anticipated to be won by someone.

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