have someone's guts for garters

English

Etymology

By metaphor from the way that humans use animal intestines as catgut for various tensile applications; compare have someone's hide.

Pronunciation

• Audio (General Australian):

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Verb

have someone's guts for garters (third-person singular simple present has someone's guts for garters, present participle having someone's guts for garters, simple past and past participle had someone's guts for garters)

1. (idiomatic, British, Ireland, Commonwealth) To reprimand severely.

   Synonym: see at have someone's head

   If you go out and play and get your clothes dirty, I'll have your guts for garters!