ENGLISH
REFERENCE

let someone have it

idiom
Meaning

To attack someone with great force.


Examples
SIMPLE

My boss was so angry that he really let me have it.

CONTEXTUAL

When he discovered that his brother had crashed the car, he let him have it in front of everyone.

COMPLEX

After enduring years of unfair treatment, the employee finally let the manager have it during the annual performance review.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    as if someone owns the place

    Alternative form of like someone owns the place.

  2. 02

    beat someone round the ears

    To beat (a person) with blows about the head.

  3. 03

    bless someone with

    To give or bestow, as a gift from God.

  4. 04

    bring someone to their knees

    To defeat and make submit to orders.

  5. 05

    buy to let

    To purchase a property as in investment, and to let it out for rental instead of living in it

  6. 06

    call someone every name in the book

    To call someone many abusive names.

  7. 07

    call someone everything but a child of God

    To call someone many abusive names.

  8. 08

    catch someone napping

    To take advantage of someone's inattention.

Last updated April 17, 2026