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!"
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."
If you are fighting a ferociousenemy, and want to charge up your troops, a good thing to shout would be "Give 'em hell!"