give someone something to think about

English

Verb

give someone something to think about (third-person singular simple present gives someone something to think about, present participle giving someone something to think about, simple past gave someone something to think about, past participle given someone something to think about)

1. (idiomatic) To threaten or provide a challenge to.
   • 2024 January 30, Phil McNulty, “Nottingham Forest 1-2 Arsenal: Gunners in title race after they close gap to leaders Liverpool”, in BBC Sport‎^[1]:

     Arsenal were untroubled elsewhere, Forest's risk-averse gameplan making it a relatively easy night for their defenders until Awoniyi emerged after being out with injury since October, finally giving them something to think about.

Further reading

• “give (one) something to think about” in TheFreeDictionary.com, Huntingdon Valley, Pa.: Farlex, Inc., 2003–2025.