someone one’s word 2: I give you the word of a man whose word once meant something—I am playing square with you now. give someone short change • give someone small change give someone short change—(also: shortchange someone) 1. give a person less than the correct amount of money: After several rounds of drinks had been served, Sullivan accused Cook of giving him short change . 2. treat a person unfairly by not giv- ing him what he deserves: The group feel they are given short change when it comes to being noticed. give someone small change—give smb. coins of low denom- ination: By mistake, I gave some small change , in euros, to the waitress. She pointed this out to me and I forked out the pennies that were needed. give someone stick • take a stick to someone give someone stick —(UK coll.) rebuke or reprimand a person: She really gave him stick about the way he made a mess of the contract negotiations. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase give it some stick—(UK coll., of a vehicle) put more force into it; speed it up: Peter gave it some stick and cleared the hill with no problems. take a stick to someone—hit a person: Gossip columnists had their tongues set a wagging when Jiri took a stick to his pro- ducer in a hotel lobby give someone the big eye • look at someone with big eyes give someone the big eye—(coll.) look at a person with an open display of romantic interest (also: give someone the eye): I can feel my dander rise watching him give her the big eye . look at someone with big eyes(also: look at someone wide- eyed) stare at a person in surprise: “Are we having a son?” he asked, looking at her with big eyes shining from happiness. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the saying one’s eyes are bigger than his stomach—one wants more of smth. than he can handle: His eyes are bigger than his stom - ach , or converted to garden terms, he would like to grow more varieties than his land can accommodate. give someone the bird • have a bird give someone the bird—1. (coll.) scoff or jeer at a performer, entertainer, etc.: Spencer’s goal-kicking was atrocious — even the crowd began to give him the bird . 2. make a very impolite sign by raising one’s middle finger towards smb. to show that one is angry: He lifted his hand outside the car window and gave me the bird . have a bird —(U.S. sl.) react with strong anxiety or agitation (also: have a canary): When I told my daughter she was grounded, she had a bird … began screaming and crying. See also: get a duck / get the bird. give someone the freedom of the city • give someone the freedom of the world give someone the freedom of the city—confer upon a person honorary citizenship of a city: Harrison was given the freedom of the city and was the guest of honor at the London Rotary Club. give someone the freedom of the world(sl.) dismiss smb. from employment: I used to work for IBM, but one day they called me in and gave me the freedom of the world , so now I have my own business. give someone the kick • give someone the kick in the teeth give someone the kick—(coll.) 1. make smb. experience excite- ment or pleasure: Morphine and heroin do not give normal persons the “kick ” they are supposed to give. 2. have a strong stimulant effect on a person: It was this discourse from Osho that gave me the kick I needed to move from the life of illu- sion. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase give someone a kickback(sl.) used of money paid ille- gally for favorable treatment: DiBlasio told that he gave a kick - back to the Congressman every month, and that was part of their deal. give someone the kick in the teeth—(coll.) make a person suffer an embarrassing refusal or failure: The Liberals’ proud victory has given the two major parties the kick in the teeth that each of them deserves. give someone the rough side of one’s tongue • give someone tongue give someone the rough side of one’s tongue—speak severely to smb. (about a fault, bad behavior, etc.): She stared up at him, fully prepared to give him the rough side of her tongue , then stopped when she saw the look on his face. give someone tongue—said of an open-mouthed kiss in which one’s tongue is inserted into the other’s mouth: We were both teenagers. She wouldn’t even give me tongue when I kissed her. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase give tongue—(also: give mouth) 1. utter one’s thoughts; express smth. in words: I have several friends who are willing to give tongue in my defense. 2. (of a dog) bark when on the scent: They expected every moment to hear Merrylegs give tongue , but the highly trained performing dog had not barked. give someone the sack • leave someone holding the sack give someone the sack—(coll.) dismiss a person from employ- ment: Raytheon tried to silence him by giving him the sack . Colin has now brought a charge of unfair dismissal to an industrial tribunal. leave someone holding the sack —(U.S. coll.) be entrusted with an unwelcome responsibility: Perhaps you didn’t plan to drag me into the case and leave me holding the sack . give someone the time • give someone the time of day give someone the time—1. (also: give someone time) be patient with smb. in expectation of a change or achievement: Parents don’t have to solve the problems for him—just give him the time and attention he needs to grow. 2. (sl., euph.) have sex with a person: I was personally acquainted with at least two girls he gave the time to. give someone the time of day—(usually negat.) exchange a greeting or casual remark with a person: Lippy wouldn’t have given Danny the time of day … not if he’d have come to him on bended knees. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase know the time of day—(coll.) be perceptive and shrewd; have good judgment: David is a trainer who knows the time of day —he is one of the best in the profession. Cf.: not know what time it is —(coll.) be not very smart or not informed on the situation: From the kind of things I’ve seen him do, he doesn’t know what time it is . He’s dangerous. give someone time • give someone time out give someone time—(also: give someone the time) be patient with smb. in expectation of a change or achievement: “He won’t make up his mind about me.” “Well,” Milly smiled, “give him time .” give someone time out—1. allow smb. to remain away from work, study, etc. for a period of time: A lot of companies will – 145 – give someone time