let someone have it

English[edit]

let someone have it (third-person singular simple present lets someone have it, present participle letting someone have it, simple past and past participle let someone have it)

(idiomatic) To attack someone with great force.
- 1976 August 14, Bill Russell, “Gil Hustle Comes Out”, in Gay Community News, volume 4, number 7, page 11:
  […] purchased a heavy-duty, light-weight, stainless steel purse, complete with a flame throwers […] and a special attachment that let anyone stupid enough to make a derogatory remark about Gil's sexual persuasion have it right in the family jewels with a bronzed golf shoe.
At dawn we really let 'em have it with a 30 minute artillery barrage.
(idiomatic) To verbally assail someone.
When I came home, he let me have it for wrecking the car.
Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see let,‎ have,‎ it.
When he showed me that he'd gotten the insurance certificate for our old car, I decided to let him have it.