give them hell

USAGE SUMMARY

"give them hell" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used as a phrase to encourage someone to take action or to express determination and aggression towards a situation or person. It is often used in a confident, assertive tone. Example: After years of being mistreated by her boss, Jane finally decided to stand up for herself. She marched into his office and said, "I won't take this anymore. From now on, I'm going to give them hell!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

"I never give them hell," said Harry Truman.

The New York Times

This trick was, you give them hell, they cow down, and they stay quiet.

The New York Times

For all the victims of the terrorist attacks, give them hell".

The New York Times

At an event in Johnston, Iowa, this week, a supporter yelled that "you've got to be up there and give them hell".

The New York Times

And she would barge into [the studio bosses'] offices and give them hell," her friend and collaborator Garson Kanin said of her.

Independent

Many carried signs bearing phrases such as "#JewishLivesMatter Ask God" and "Give them hell Ted Cruz". People waved huge American and Israeli flags.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

I am sure he gave them hell!" Jonathan wrote.

The Washington Post

"I'm sure he's giving them hell right now".

The New York Times

I don't have a problem with the White House giving them hell.

The New Yorker

Fans applauded the opposition on (and then, quite rightly, gave them hell for the rest of the evening).

The Guardian - Sport

The editor of a comic-book publishing house called the staff together and gave them hell; said they were bungling the job, the costumes in their strips, most of which involved a variety of otherworldly horrors, were all bad.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "give them hell" when you want to express strong encouragement or a desire for someone to confront a challenge aggressively.

Common error

While impactful, "give them hell" is generally too informal for academic papers or formal business communications. Choose a more neutral or professional expression in those settings.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "give them hell" is to serve as an idiomatic expression used for encouragement or to express a desire for someone to strongly confront a challenge. Ludwig confirms its usability in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

12%

Huffington Post

12%

Less common in

The New York Times

9%

BBC

6%

The Guardian

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "give them hell" is a grammatically correct idiomatic expression used to convey encouragement, determination, or a call to action, as validated by Ludwig. It's most commonly found in news and media contexts and is considered informal in register. While its use is widespread, it's essential to avoid it in formal or professional communications. Related phrases, such as "unleash fury", "show no mercy", or "fight tooth and nail", offer similar sentiments with varying degrees of intensity. Keep in mind that, in certain situations, using alternative phrases can be more appropriated.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unleash fury

This phrase emphasizes a more intense and uncontrolled expression of anger or force.

take no prisoners

Suggests a complete and uncompromising victory.

show no mercy

This suggests a ruthless and unforgiving approach.

go to war

This phrase denotes entering a state of conflict or intense competition.

fight tooth and nail

This implies a fierce and desperate struggle.

go for the jugular

This suggests a direct and potentially brutal attack.

kick butt

This is a more informal and lighthearted way of expressing dominance.

stand your ground

Focuses on resilience and defense rather than outright aggression.

give it your all

This focuses on maximum effort rather than hostility.

put up a good fight

Implies effort and resistance, regardless of the outcome.

FAQs

What does "give them hell" mean?

It's an idiomatic phrase that expresses encouragement or a desire for someone to strongly confront a person or situation, often implying aggression or determination.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "give them hell"?

It's appropriate in informal settings or when conveying strong encouragement or a call to action. Avoid using it in formal or professional contexts.

Are there alternative phrases to "give them hell" that are more formal?

Yes, depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "show no mercy" or "fight tooth and nail" for a more aggressive tone, or "give it your all" to express encouragement without aggression.

Is "give them hell" grammatically correct?

Yes, it is a grammatically correct idiomatic phrase. The structure follows standard English sentence construction.