gave someone the business

Verb

give someone the business (third-person singular simple present gives someone the business, present participle giving someone the business, simple past gave someone the business, past participle given someone the business)

1. (dated, idiomatic) To treat someone harshly or in a wrongful manner, such as by abusing, deceiving, or manipulating.
   • “I hope you're right, Mike. I hope you aren't giving me the business.”
     I grinned at him. “The only one who can get shafted is me.”1951, Mickey Spillane, One Lonely Night, Penguin, published 1980

   Synonyms:

   take advantage of

2. (dated, idiomatic) To harangue, criticize vigorously, berate, or ridicule someone.
   • The Red Dean's utterances, as usual, got on some people's nerves. The irreverent New York Daily News gave him the business, in a full-column editorial, ending; "Nobody curbs these whizbangs in the United States or England, where they are free to be as nutty as their capacities will permit."1945 November 26, “Religion: Canterbury Red”, in Time

   Synonyms:

   diss, dress down, make fun of, scold