give someone something to think about

English

Verb

give (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., 2003–2024.