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give hell

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give somebody hell

1. to speak to someone in a very angry way My wife's giving me hell for not selling the farm.

2. to cause someone pain or difficulty These new shoes are giving me hell.

See also: give, hell

give somebody hell

  (informal)

1. to speak to someone in a very angry way, because they have done something which has annoyed or upset you Did your Dad give you hell about the dent in the car?

2. to make someone suffer (usually in continuous tenses) The children have been giving me hell all afternoon, so I'm not in a very good mood. His new shoes are giving him hell.

See also: give, hell