give someone hell

Related to word: hell

Idiom

Definition

  1. To criticize someone severely or angrily.

    • She gave me hell for being twenty minutes late to the meeting.

    • If your work performance is poor, the boss will give you hell.

    • The teacher gave me hell for not completing my homework.

  2. To cause someone great pain, trouble, or difficulty.

    • This terrible headache is giving me hell.

    • This cold is giving me hell.

    • The approaching project deadline is giving me hell.