give someone a piece of one's mind

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give someone a piece of one's mind (third-person singular simple present gives someone a piece of one's mind, present participle giving someone a piece of one's mind, simple past gave someone a piece of one's mind, past participle given someone a piece of one's mind)

1. (idiomatic) To express one's opinion strongly; to voice one's disagreement or dissatisfaction, especially with another person; to scold or rebuke someone.

   Synonym: tell off

   Coordinate term: speak one's mind

   That is the fourth time this week my neighbor's barking dog has woken me up. I'm going to go give her a piece of my mind about it.

   • 1897, Richard Marsh, The Beetle:

     I was nothing but a mass of trembling. As for answering him back, or giving him a piece of my mind, as I had meant to, I wouldn’t have done it not for a thousand pounds.