give someone their gruel
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
To kill or trounce someone.
Register: slang
Examples
"Cruel! Cruel! Cruel!" he cried. "Yes, you gave him his gruel hot enough," answered Charlotte.
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 their gruel” mean?
To kill or trounce someone.
Is “give someone their gruel” formal or informal?
give someone their gruel is generally slang.