GIVE THE DICKENS Meaning and
Definition
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The phrase "give the dickens" is an idiomatic expression that originated in the 16th century, primarily in British English. It means to inflict trouble, vexation, or hardship upon someone or something. It suggests causing a great deal of trouble or being mischievous towards someone, often in a playful or teasing manner. The term "dickens" in this context is derived from the name of the famous British writer Charles Dickens, known for his numerous characters and stories depicting people faced with various trials and tribulations.
When used in a sentence, the phrase "give the dickens" typically implies someone causing annoyance or frustration by teasing, pranking, or playing tricks on another person. It denotes a level of mischief or harmless troublemaking rather than indicating malicious intent or serious harm. The expression is commonly used in informal conversations or storytelling to convey a lighthearted or humorous tone.
For instance, one might say, "He gave me the dickens by constantly hiding my keys, making me late for work." Here, the phrase describes the person playfully causing inconvenience or irritation through their actions.
Overall, "give the dickens" is an idiomatic phrase with a figurative meaning related to mischief or troublesome behavior, usually in a harmless and playful manner.
Common Misspellings for GIVE THE DICKENS
- five the dickens
- vive the dickens
- bive the dickens
- hive the dickens
- yive the dickens
- tive the dickens
- guve the dickens
- gjve the dickens
- gkve the dickens
- gove the dickens
- g9ve the dickens
- g8ve the dickens
- gice the dickens
- gibe the dickens
- gige the dickens
- gife the dickens
- givw the dickens
- givs the dickens
- givd the dickens
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