tell\ a\ thing\ or\ two

tell\ a\ thing\ or\ two
v. phr. informal
To tell in plain or angry words; scold.

When John complained about the hard work, his father told him a thing or two.

If Bert thinks he would like to join the army, I'll tell him a thing or two that will make him change his mind.

Compare: bawl out, give a piece of one's mind, tell off, thing or two

Словарь американских идиом. — СПб., Изд-во "Лань". . 1997.

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  • tell a thing or two — {v. phr.}, {informal} To tell in plain or angry words; scold. * /When John complained about the hard work, his father told him a thing or two./ * /If Bert thinks he would like to join the army, I ll tell him a thing or two that will make him… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • tell a thing or two — {v. phr.}, {informal} To tell in plain or angry words; scold. * /When John complained about the hard work, his father told him a thing or two./ * /If Bert thinks he would like to join the army, I ll tell him a thing or two that will make him… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • thing or two — {n. phr.}, {informal} 1. Facts not generally known, or not known to the hearer or reader; unusual or important information. * /Mary told Joan a thing or two about Betty s real feelings./ 2. A lot; much. * /Bob knows a thing or two about sailing./ …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • thing or two — {n. phr.}, {informal} 1. Facts not generally known, or not known to the hearer or reader; unusual or important information. * /Mary told Joan a thing or two about Betty s real feelings./ 2. A lot; much. * /Bob knows a thing or two about sailing./ …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • thing\ or\ two — n. phr. informal 1. Facts not generally known, or not known to the hearer or reader; unusual or important information. Mary told Joan a thing or two about Betty s real feelings. 2. A lot; much. Bob knows a thing or two about sailing. Compare:… …   Словарь американских идиом

  • tell him a thing or two — tell him he caused a problem, tell him off    If Sid took my keys, I m going to tell him a thing or two …   English idioms

  • tell someone a thing or two —    If you tell someone a thing or two, you express you thoughts (usually criticism) very clearly.     Let me tell you a thing or two about your son s behaviour said John to the boy s father …   English Idioms & idiomatic expressions

  • tell somebody a thing or two (about somebody) — know/tell sb a ˈthing or two (about sb/sth) idiom (informal) to know/tell sb some useful, interesting or surprising information about sb/sth • She s been married five times, so she knows a thing or two about men! Main entry: ↑thingidiom …   Useful english dictionary

  • tell somebody a thing or two (about something) — know/tell sb a ˈthing or two (about sb/sth) idiom (informal) to know/tell sb some useful, interesting or surprising information about sb/sth • She s been married five times, so she knows a thing or two about men! Main entry: ↑thingidiom …   Useful english dictionary

  • (a) thing or two — a thing or two informal phrase a few things I need to get a thing or two at the shop. tell someone a thing or two (=tell someone why you are angry with them): The next time he calls I’m going to tell him a thing or two. Thesaurus: small numbers… …   Useful english dictionary

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