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what for

Noun CEFR B2

Definitions

An unspecified punishment or rebuke.

colloquial, idiomatic, usually

Equivalents

Españolde quépara quépor qué
FrançaisPourquoi
Deutschwofür
21 more languages

Examples

“When your dad gets home, he'll give⟳ you (a) what for.”
“- Fagin, I'm waiting. - Waiting, my dear? What for? - Bill will give⟳ you "what for" if you don't fork out.”
“Cranky Kong: 'NOW GET⟳ OUT THERE AND GIVE⟳ THOSE LITTLE DRUM GUYS WHAT FOR. YES, I SAID "WHAT FOR." I'M OLD. GET⟳ OVER IT.'”

CEFR level

B2
Upper Intermediate
This word is part of the CEFR B2 vocabulary — upper intermediate level.
See all B2 English words →

See also

what gives what goes around comes around what goes up must come down what hath God wrought what have you what in the world

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