• GIVE!
int. 1956 – speak!
• GIVE A BACKIE
vb. Bk1898 Sc. – to hoist up one’s back
• GIVE A BACKIE-UP
vb. Bk1898 Sc. – to hoist up one’s back
• GIVE A BROWCING
vb. Bk1913-17 Amer. dial. – to give a good thrashing
• GIVE A FRIG
vb. 1955 UK sl. – to care, to be concerned; usually in a negative context
• GIVE A HEAD
vb. 1945 Amer. dial. – to aid or assist
• GIVE ALECK
vb. 1848 US sl. – to thrash, to trounce, to ‘give hell’
• GIVE A LISTEN
vb. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – to listen
• GIVE AN EARING
vb. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – to listen
• GIVE AN EDGE TO
vb. 1602 obs. – to stimulate, to incite
• GIVE ANYONE ONE’S NEIVE
vb. 1887 Eng. dial. – to strike with the fist
• GIVE A PACKING PENNY TO
vb. 1598 obs. – to ‘send packing’; to dismiss
• GIVE A PERSON A SERVE
vb. M20 Aust. sl. – to criticize or reprimand a person sharply
• GIVE A PERSON BEANS
vb. 1892 – to deal severely with; to punish heavily
• GIVE A PERSON HIS OATMEAL
vb. M18 sl. – to punish; to rebuke severely
• GIVE A PIECE OF ONE’S MIND
vb. 1861 sl. – to reprimand
• GIVE A RED-LACED JACKET
vb. 1871 military sl. – to flog
• GIVE A RIDE
vb. 1920s sl. – to deceive, to fool, to trick, usually for financial gain
• GIVE A STEADY ONE
vb. Amer. World War I sl. – to growl and curse
• GIVE A TAKING-DOWN
vb. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – to humiliate
• GIVE A TUMBLE
vb. 1954 sl. – to have sexual intercourse
• GIVE-AWAY
n. 1882 sl., orig. US – something that gives one away; also, an inadvertent revelation of the facts
vb. a1899 sl. – (as ‘give away) to sell cheaply
• GIVE A ZATCH
vb. 1980 sl. – to have sexual intercourse
• GIVE BELLOWS TO MEND
vb. Bk1898 Eng. dial. – of persons or things: to make a sharp attack upon, to beat soundly
• GIVE BELLTINKER
vb. 1859 Eng. dial. – of persons: to give a good thrashing, or a scolding; of things: to do anything thoroughly or in good style
• GIVE BEST
vb. 1. 1877 Eng. dial. – to yield; to admit inferiority
vb. 2. 1887 Eng. dial. – to leave, to sever connection with
• GIVE CHEEK
n. 1840 sl. – to speak insolently
• GIVE CHOCOLATE WITHOUT SUGAR
vb. B1900 – to reprove
• GIVE CURRY
vb. 1936 Aust. sl. – to reprimand
• GIVED OUT
adj. 1852 Amer. dial. – tired out, exhausted, broken down
• GIVE DOWN
vb. 1. 1917 Amer. dial. – to admit; to confess
vb. 2. 1938 Amer. dial. – to be overcome with weariness; to breakdown
• GIVE DOWN THE BANKS
vb. 1845 colloq. – to turn on angrily; to berate or admonish in a vehement and vociferous manner; to reprimand or scold
• GIVE DOWN THE COUNTRY
vb. 1892 Amer. dial. – to show one’s displeasure towards someone; to berate or admonish in a vehement and vociferous manner; to reprimand or scold
• GIVE DOWN THE ROAD
vb. 1974 Amer. dial. – to show one’s displeasure towards someone; to berate or admonish in a vehement and vociferous manner; to reprimand or scold
• GIVE GAMMON
vb. 1720 thieves’ sl. – to stand close to a person while another picks their pocket
• GIVE GIP
vb. 1893 sl. – to reprimand
• GIVE GREEN RATS
vb. B1900 sl. – to malign, to slander, to backbite
• GIVE GYP
vb. 1893 sl. – to reprimand
• GIVE HEAD
vb. 1962 Amer. sl. – to perform fellatio or cunnilingus
• GIVE HER A MEAT INJECTION
vb. 1940s services’ sl. – to coit with a woman
• GIVE IT A BIRL; GIVE IT A BURL
vb. 1917 Aust. & NZ sl. – to make an attempt
• GIVE IT A GO
vb. 1835 – to make an attempt
• GIVE IT AN IRISH WASH
phr. 1966 Amer. dial. – turn the table-cloth or a garment, etc. around so the dust or dirt doesn’t show
• GIVE IT A PULL
vb. 20C Aust. sl. – to desist, to discontinue
• GIVE IT A REST!
int. 1931 sl., orig. US – be quiet
• GIVE IT A WHIRL
vb. 1884 sl., orig. US – to make an attempt
• GIVE IT ON THE MACE
vb. 19C Brit. sl. – to obtain goods on credit and never pay for them
• GIVE IT THE OLD COLLEGE TRY
vb. 20C colloq. – to make a sincere effort
• GIVE IT THE VERBAL
vb. 1960s sl. – to talk aggressively
• GIVE IT TO SOMEONE HOT
vb. 1831 sl. – to reprimand
• GIVE IT TO SOMEONE HOT AND STRONG
vb. 1831 sl. – to reprimand
• GIVE JESSE
vb. 1847 Amer. sl. – to rebuke with vigour; to thrash
• GIVE LALDIE
vb. 1889 Sc. – to punish
• GIVE LEAVE
vb. 1500-20 obs. – to allow, to permit
• GIVE LEG BAIL
vb. 1759 jocular usage – to be beholden to one’s own legs for escape, to run away, esp. from a debt or a responsibility; to escape
• GIVE LEG BAIL AND LAND SECURITY
vb. 1796 sl. – to run away
• GIVE LILL FOR LOLL
vb. c1425 obs. – to retaliate
• GIVE ME SOME SCROUGE
phr. 1967 Amer. dial. – move over and give me some room
• GIVE MOSES
vb. M19 sl. – to beat severely
• GIVEN OUT
adj. 1852 Amer. dial. – tired out, exhausted, broken down
• GIVE OFF A LOT OF MOUTH
vb. 1999 UK sl. – to shout abuse
• GIVE OLD HARRY
vb. M17 sl. – to play the devil, to make mischief; to tease or scold
• GIVE ONE A BACK-CAP
vb. 1883 US sl. – to disclose or state something to one’s detriment; to run down
• GIVE ONE A KNOCK-DOWN
vb. M19 Aust. & NZ & US sl. – to give one an introduction
• GIVE ONE AN EASE UP
vb. 1895 Sc. – to assist, to give a helping hand
• GIVE ONE CARDS
vb. 1888 Amer. sl. – to give one an advantage
• GIVE ONE FITS
vb. Bk1905 Amer. dial. – to punish
• GIVE ONE GOSS
vb. 1840 Amer. dial. – to punish; to give one a whipping
• GIVE ONE GOUDY
vb. 1939 Amer. dial. – to give one a good beating
• GIVE ONE HAIL COLUMBIA
vb. 1854 Amer. dial. – to give a sound scolding; to berate
• GIVE ONE HAIL COLUMBIA, HAPPY LAND
vb. 1908 Amer. dial. – to give a sound scolding; to berate
• GIVE ONE HIS FAIRING
vb. 1790 Sc. – to punish, to give one his just deserts
• GIVE ONE HIS WAGE
vb. Bk1905 Eng. dial. – to beat him
• GIVE ONE NED
vb. 1897 Amer. dial. – to berate or disparage someone
• GIVE ONE OLD NED
vb. 1970 Amer. dial. – to berate or disparage someone
• GIVE ONE ONE’S KALE THROUGH THE REEK
vb. 1814 Sc. – to give one a good scolding; to reprove severely; to punish
• GIVE ONE PARTICULAR NED
vb. 1897 Amer. dial. – to berate or disparage someone
• GIVE ONESELF ILL
vb. a1300 obs. – to distress or trouble oneself; to grieve
• GIVE ONE’S HEAD FOR THE POLLING
vb. c1583 obs. – to yield tamely without resistance
• GIVE ONE’S HEAD FOR THE WASHING
vb. 1663 obs. – to yield tamely without resistance
• GIVE ONE’S HEAD FOR WASHING
vb. c1613 obs. – to yield tamely and without resistance; to submit to be imposed upon or to overbearing insult
• GIVE ONE’S RIGHT ARM
vb. 20C colloq. – to be prepared to make any sacrifice
• GIVE ONE THE BAG TO HOLD
vb. 1793 – to engage anyone while taking the opportunity to slip way; to leave in the lurch
• GIVE ONE THE BASKET
vb. 1940 Amer. dial. – to jilt
• GIVE ONE THE BOUNCE
vb. 1912 Amer. dial. – to jilt or dismiss someone
• GIVE ONE THE BUM’S RUSH
vb. 1926 Amer. dial. – to eject or dismiss forcibly; to snub
• GIVE ONE THE BUTTONS
vb. 1. 1954 Amer. dial. – to refuse to marry
vb. 2. 1954 Amer. dial. – to stop seeing someone
• GIVE ONE THE DITCH
vb. 1969 Amer. dial. – to jilt or dismiss one
• GIVE ONE THE FINGER
vb. 1890 sl., orig. US – to make an obscene gesture with the middle finger raised as a sign of contempt, and hence showing contempt for someone
• GIVE ONE THE GAMMET
vb. Bk1900 Eng. dial. – to answer back, to retort
• GIVE ONE THE GAN-BY
vb. Bk1900 Eng. dial. – to give one the slip, to evade
• GIVE ONE THE GECK
vb. 1583 – to mock, to trick, to deceive one
• GIVE ONE THE GLOVE
vb. 1968 Amer. dial. – to turn down a proposal of marriage
• GIVE ONE THE GO-AHEAD SIGNAL
vb. 1967 Amer. dial. – to get rid of one; to give one the brush-off
• GIVE ONE THE GO-AWAY SIGN
vb. 1967 Amer. dial. – to get rid of one; to give one the brush-off
• GIVE ONE THE GO-BY
vb. 1855 Amer. dial. – to avoid, to disregard, to neglect
• GIVE ONE THE GO-LIGHT
vb. 1967 Amer. dial. – to get rid of one; to give one the brush-off
• GIVE ONE THE GO-SIGN
vb. 1950 Amer. dial. – to get rid of one; to give one the brush-off
• GIVE ONE THE GO-SIGNAL
vb. 1967 Amer. dial. – to get rid of one; to give one the brush-off
• GIVE ONE THE GRAND BOUNCE
vb. 1894 Amer. dial. – to jilt or dismiss someone
• GIVE ONE THE IGG
vb. 1965 Amer. dial. – to reject a suitor
• GIVE ONE THE MITTEN
vb. 1842 Amer. dial. – of a woman: to reject or dismiss a man’s invitation or proposal of marriage; to jilt
• GIVE ONE THE PIP
vb. 1913 sl. – to annoy or infuriate one
• GIVE ONE THE RICKETS
vb. 1966 Amer. dial. – to make one nervous
• GIVE ONE THE TAIL OF A LONG TOW
vb. 1726 Sc. – used expletively, to wish one hanged
• GIVE ONE THE VERY NED
vb. 1897 Amer. dial. – to berate or disparage someone
• GIVE ONE THE WHOLE WORKS
vb. c1930 sl., orig. US – to harm, to beat up, to kill
• GIVE ONE THE WIND OF THE MARE’S TAIL
vb. 1883 Eng. dial. – to ride off from one at once
• GIVE ONE THE WORKS
vb. 1. c1930 sl., orig. US – to give or inflict the complete treatment; to cure, as a doctor
vb. 2. c1930 sl., orig. US – to harm, to beat up, to kill
• GIVE ONE THE WORMS
vb. 20C Aust. sl. – to exasperate, to irritate, to annoy
• GIVE ON THE MACE
vb. E19 sl. – to obtain goods by persuading the shopkeeper to extend credit that one has no intention of paying
• GIVE OVER ONE’S TACKLING
vb. 1551 obs. – to ‘lay down one’s arms’, to surrender, to give in
• GIVER
n. c1970 Amer. dial. – a marble of inferior quality that one has no fear of losing in a game
• GIVE ROAST MEAT AND BEAT WITH THE PIT
vb. 1719 sl. – ‘to do one a courtesy, and twit or upbraid him with it’
• GIVE (SIX) INCHES OF HOT COCK
vb. M20 sl. – to copulate with
• GIVE SKY-HIGH
vb. Bk1892 Aust. sl. – to blow up, to scold in the most immoderate fashion
• GIVE SOME HAZEL
vb. Bk1902 Eng. dial. – to give a beating or thrashing
• GIVE SOMEONE A BELL
vb. 1982 Brit. sl. – to telephone
• GIVE SOMEONE A BUZZ
vb. 1930 sl. – to telephone
• GIVE SOMEONE A FAIR CRACK OF THE WHIP
vb. 1929 Aust. sl. – to deal fairly with that person
• GIVE SOMEONE A FALL
vb. M17 sl. – of a man: to lie a woman down prior to sexual intercourse
• GIVE SOMEONE A HURTING
vb. 1970s sl., orig. African-American – to cause deliberate harm to someone
• GIVE SOMEONE A LINE ON
vb. 1903 sl., orig. US – to give information about someone
• GIVE SOMEONE AN EASE-UP
vb. 20C W. Indies sl. – to help
• GIVE SOMEONE ARSEHOLES
vb. 1968 NZ sl. – to attack someone with vigour
• GIVE SOMEONE A SERVE
vb. 1967 Aust. sl. – to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize
• GIVE SOMEONE A STRONG PULL
vb. c1930 sl. – to speak severely to; to reprimand
• GIVE SOMEONE A TINKLE
vb. 1938 sl. – to telephone
• GIVE SOMEONE CURRY
vb. 1941 Aust. sl. – to abuse, to reprove, to express anger at a person
• GIVE SOMEONE JESSE
vb. 1839 US sl. – to beat, to hit
• GIVE SOMEONE SOME CAP
vb. 1960s African-American sl. – to fellate, to perform cunnilingus
• GIVE SOMEONE SOME SKIN
vb. 1942 Amer. sl. – to shake or slap hands together as a gesture of friendship or solidarity
• GIVE SOMEONE THE ABDABS
vb. 1940s sl. – to fool someone
• GIVE SOMEONE THE DEEP-SIX
vb. 1929 sl., orig. & chiefly US – to kill someone
• GIVE SOMEONE THE GUY
vb. 1. 19C sl. – to make a fool of someone; to tease
vb. 2. L19 sl. – to run away
• GIVE SOMEONE THE HA-HA
vb. L19 US sl. – to laugh at, to ridicule and take advantage of
• GIVE SOMEONE THEIR CARDS
vb. 1929 sl. – to dismiss
• GIVE SOMEONE THEIR MARCHING ORDERS
vb. 1937 Brit. sl. – to dismiss
• GIVE SOMEONE THEIR P45
vb. 1996 Sc. – to break off a romantic relationship with someone
• GIVE SOMEONE THEIR WALKING PAPERS
vb. 1825 US sl. – to dismiss someone
• GIVE SOMEONE THE OFFICE
vb. M18 sl. – to give a hint or a warning
• GIVE SOMEONE THE OLD ABDABS
vb. 1940s sl. – to fool someone
• GIVE SOMEONE THE OLD ONE-TWO
vb. 20C Aust. sl. – to punch someone with a left and a right
• GIVE SOMEONE THE RAH-RAH
vb. 1910s sl. – to mock on the grounds of supposed snobbishness
• GIVE SOMEONE THE RASPBERRY
vb. 1910s sl. – to deride or dismiss; to escape from
• GIVE SOMEONE THE RUN
vb. 1910s orig. US – to deceive; to delay; to put off; to avoid; usually in order to give oneself some form of advantage, breathing space, etc.
• GIVE SOMEONE THE RUNAROUND
vb. 1910s orig. US – to deceive; to delay; to put off; to avoid; usually in order to give oneself some form of advantage, breathing space, etc.
• GIVE SOMEONE THE SCREAMING HABDABS
vb. 1946 sl. – to make one nervous or uneasy
• GIVE SOMEONE THE SICK
vb. 1840 cant – to disgust
• GIVE SOMEONE THE SNOOT
vb. 1989 US sl. – to treat someone in a condescending manner
• GIVE SOMEONE THE VERBAL
vb. 1973 Brit. sl. – to insult, to abuse
• GIVE SOMEONE THE VERBALS
vb. 1960s sl. – to abuse
• GIVE SOMEONE THE WILLIES
vb. 1896 sl., orig. US – to make one nervous or uneasy
• GIVE SOME WOOD
vb. 19C Brit. sl. – to have sexual intercourse
• GIVE THE AIR
vb. 1900 US sl. – to dismiss
• GIVE THE ARSE
vb. 1955 Aust. – to get rid of a person or thing; to dismiss
• GIVE THE ATMOSPHERE
vb. 1938 Amer. sl. – to reject
• GIVE THE AXE
vb. 1. 1897 Amer. sl. – to dismiss, to fire
vb. 2. 1897 Amer. sl. – to kill, to murder
• GIVE THE BAG
vb. 1. 1592 sl. – to leave (a person) suddenly
vb. 2. 1798 Amer. sl. – to jilt or reject a suitor
vb. 3. 1870 – to dismiss or sack someone
• GIVE THE BATTLE
vb. c1400 – to grant victory
• GIVE THE BAUBLE
vb. 1599 obs. – to make a fool of, to befool
• GIVE THE BIG E
vb. 1982 Brit. sl. – to dismiss (E = elbow, dismissal)
• GIVE THE BIRD
vb. 1924 sl. – to dismiss
• GIVE THE BOOST
vb. E19 sl. – to praise
• GIVE THE BOOT
vb. 1881 sl. – to dismiss
• GIVE THE BOUNCE
vb. 1951 Amer. dial. – to jilt or dismiss someone
• GIVE THE BUD
vb. 1891 Amer. dial. – to thrash
• GIVE THE BUM’S RUSH
vb. 1910 sl., orig. US – to dismiss
• GIVE THE CALF MORE ROPE
vb. Bk1942 Amer. West. sl. – not to interfere
• GIVE THE CHUCK
vb. 1892 sl. – to dismiss
• GIVE THE COMMENCE
vb. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – to begin, to commence
• GIVE THE DAGGERS
vb. 1899 sl. – to look angrily at someone
• GIVE THE DING
vb. Bk1900 Eng. dial. – to give the slip, to get beyond observation
• GIVE THE DITCH
vb. L19 sl. – of people and objects: to throw away, to dispense with, to abandon
• GIVE THE DOR
vb. 1616 obs. – to make game of, to mock, to subject to ridicule
• GIVE THE DOUBLE
vb. 1888 – to give the slip,. to evade by stratagem
• GIVE THE EAR
vb. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – to listen
• GIVE THE ELBOW
vb. 1971 Brit. sl. – to dismiss
• GIVE THE FAN
vb. 1920s sl. – to pick pockets
• GIVE THE GAFF
vb. L19 sl. – to deliver criticism
• GIVE THE GAME AWAY
vb. 1953 Aust. sl. – to cease doing something; to abandon; to give up
• GIVE THE GATE
vb. 1901 sl., chiefly US – to dismiss
• GIVE THE GO-AROUND TO
vb. E20 chiefly US – to avoid, to evade, to slight
• GIVE THE GO-BY TO
vb. E17 – to pass, leave behind, elude, evade, disregard, or slight
• GIVE THE GUN
vb. 20C sl. – to increase speed
• GIVE THE GUY TO
vb. 1899 sl. – to run away; to give someone the slip
• GIVE THE HEAVE-HO
vb. 1944 sl., orig. US – to dismiss
• GIVE THE HICKORY
vb. 1891 Amer. dial. – to thrash
• GIVE THE HORSE LAUGH
vb. 1896 US sl. – to mock or deride
• GIVE THE HUMP
vb. 1873 Brit. sl. – to make angry
• GIVE THE ICY MITT
vb. 1915 Amer. dial. – to reject as a suitor
• GIVE THE IG
vb. 1930s sl., orig. African-American – to ignore a person deliberately, to snub
• GIVE THE JAKELEG
vb. c1960 Amer. dial. – to poison with bad whisky
• GIVE THE LEFT HAND OF FRIENDSHIP
vb. c1585 obs. – to deal in an unfriendly manner with
• GIVE THE LONSDALE
vb. c1940 Brit. sl. – to dismiss, to get rid of
• GIVE THE LONSDALE BELT
vb. c1940 Brit. sl. – to dismiss, to get rid of
• GIVE THE LURCH
vb. 1598 obs. – to discomfit, to get the better of
• GIVE THE MAGOO
vb. 1930s US sl. – to deceive someone
• GIVE THEM LACKERY
phr. 1989 Ireland – give them a beating
• GIVE THE NEEDLE
vb. 1887 sl. – to annoy
• GIVE THE OFFICE
vb. 1803 sl. – to give a signal
• GIVE THE ONCE-OVER
vb. 1910s sl., orig. US – to look over, to assess
• GIVE THE ONSET
vb. 1561 obs. – to make a beginning, to start
• GIVE THE ORDER OF THE BOOT
vb. 19C – to dismiss a person from employment, etc.
• GIVE THE ORDER OF THE SACK
vb. c1860 sl. – to dismiss from employment
• GIVE THE PUSH
vb. 1899 sl. – to dismiss, esp. from employment
• GIVE THE RASPBERRY
vb. 1920 sl. – to dismiss
• GIVE THE RAZOO; GIVE THE RAZZOO
vb. 1890 Amer. sl. – to ridicule
• GIVE THE RUN-AROUND
vb. 1924 sl., orig. US – to cause trouble or harm to
• GIVE THE SALVE
vb. M19 US sl. – to talk in a conciliatory, soothing manner
• GIVE THE SCRAWL
vb. Bk1904 Eng. dial. – to do a bad turn; to injure
• GIVE THE SHAFT
vb. 1959 sl., chiefly US – to dismiss
• GIVE THE SHOVE
vb. 1899 sl. – to dismiss
• GIVE THE VENTURE
vb. 1599 obs. – to make the attempt
• GIVE UP ONE’S FACE
vb. 1960s sl. – to permit oneself to indulge in oral intercourse at the insistence of a partner
• GIVE UP ONE’S FIDDLE
vb. 1950 Amer. dial. – to get one’s hair cut
• GIVE UP THE GHOST
vb. 1. c1175 – to die
vb. 2. c1175 – to give up hope
• GIVE UP THE SHIP
vb. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – to be seasick
• GIVE WITH THE BUZZ
phr. 1944 Amer. sl. – tell me the gossip, dish the dirt
• GIVE WITH THE GOO
vb. 1946 Can. teen sl. obs. – to explain fully
• GIVEY
adj. 1. 1829 Amer. dial. – of weather: humid, muggy, damp; hence, moist, pliable
adj. 2. 1895 Amer. dial. – unsteady
adj. 3. 1963 Amer. dial. – generous
• GIVO
n. 1864 – affected behaviour or speech (sl., chiefly Aust. & NZ)
• GIVOR
n. 1864 – affected behaviour or speech (sl., chiefly Aust. & NZ)
• GIVY
adj. 1829 – of weather: humid, muggy, damp; hence, moist, pliable (Amer. dial.)
• GIXY
n. 1611 – a giddy, frivolous girl; a wench; a lively lass; a wanton woman (obs.)
• GIZMO
n. 1942 – a device or gadget; an unnamed thing (sl., orig. & chiefly US)
• GIZZARD
n. 1892 – courage, spirit, life (Amer. dial.)
• GIZZARDLESS
adj. Bk1942 – cowardly (Amer. sl.)
• GIZZLE
n. 1946 – the throat (Amer dial.)
vb. 19C – to giggle (Eng. dial.)
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Lexicophilia 