Give someone the shakes
verb phrase
To instill fear and trembling; intimidate: he’s being paid $5.4 million by the New York Yankees to give opposing batters the shakes
[1940s+; the shakes, ”a fit of trembling fear,” is found by 1837]
Read Also:
- Give someone the works
verb phrase To mistreat or beat severely; clobber, WORK someone OVER: They took him into the adjoining room and gave him the works (1920+) Related Terms the works
- Give someone up
verb phrase To turn someone in to the authorities; to betray: gave him up to the cops
- Give someone what for
verb phrase To beat or punish severely; drub either physically or verbally; clobber, LET someone HAVE IT: two or three of us would pitch on him and give him ”what-for” (1873+ British)
- Give something a shot
verb phrase (Variations: crack or go or rip or ripple may replace shot) To have a try at; make an attempt: He gave the exam a good shot, but flunked it/ Let’s give it a rip. We’ve nothing to lose (entry form 1840+)
- Give something a whirl
Make a brief or experimental try, as in I’ve never made a pie but I’ll give it a whirl. [ ; late 1800s ]