To frustrate or cause trouble

The operation of giving one or something hell. Typically by giving such a destructive, painful thing, you destroy the receiver of said hell. Sadly, hell is so very hot, that the one who is giving, also tends to be destroyed by the exothermic energy contained therein.

Comes from the root word, Giveus Hellus, which is Latin for, "Fuck that shit up, Polonius!"

1. To punish someone in a harsh manner.
2. To give someone a hard time.

to make someone miserable.

to make something difficult for someone

To really whoop someone or give them trouble. To attack. If you really bust someone up and thoroughly kick their tailfeathers, you will have given them hell.

Since hell is a bad place full of suffering, to give someone hell is to create your own little part of it just for them.

It can also be a term for teasing or general razzing, ("he was really giving you hell at the party, wasn't he?") as well as winning in an athletic event. "We really gave that team hell."

(v, tr.) to show disappointment, rage, or anger towards someone, usually by means of a strong verbal attack. Often justified by something bad the recipient of the onslaught has done. The recieving verb is catch hell.

Criticize or punish sb severely.
The boss gave me hell for not telling him about it.