give someone his gruel

English

Etymology

Perhaps a reference to administering poison.

Verb

give someone his gruel (third-person singular simple present gives someone his gruel, present participle giving someone his gruel, simple past gave someone his gruel, past participle given someone his gruel)

1. (UK, slang, obsolete) To kill or trounce someone.
   • 1837, The Gambler's Dream, page 247:

     "Cruel! Cruel! Cruel!" he cried. "Yes, you gave him his gruel hot enough," answered Charlotte.

   • 1856, Thomas Ingoldsby, The Ingoldsby Legends: Or, Mirth & Marvels, page 87:

     I have 'barkers' by Nock, Sir,
     With percussion locks, Sir,
     Will give you your gruel —
     hang me if I box, Sir

See also

• cook someone's goose
• settle someone's hash

References

• John Camden Hotten (1873) The Slang Dictionary