give (someone) the length of (one's) tongue



give (someone) the length of (one's) tongue

To voice one's opinion, often in an aggressive or abusive way. I thought Paul was unhappy, but I did not expect him to lash out and give me the length of his tongue like that. I can't stand being around my mom when she starts giving us the length of her tongue.
See also: give, length, of, tongue

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
Adalbertoah-dahl-BER-to (Italian, Spanish), ə-dəl-BER-too (Portuguese)Italian, Spanish, Portuguese
KrystenKRIS-tinEnglish (Modern)
Augeas['ɔ:dʒəs]
Lou[lu:]
Gifford['gifəd]
Philetos-Biblical Greek