give someone the gears
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
To scold or criticize someone.
Register: slang
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
Then Mr. Melnyk pointed out that we probably wouldn't have electricity. Someone else said she'd take a blanket so she could sleep and stay warm. Then a guy asked if he could share it. Mr. Melnyk gave him the gears […]
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “give someone the gears” mean?
To scold or criticize someone.
Is “give someone the gears” formal or informal?
give someone the gears is generally slang.