Verb
give someone what for (third-person singular simple present gives someone what for, present participle giving someone what for, simple past gave someone what for, past participle given someone what for)
(idiomatic, slang) To punish; to rebuke.
give someone what-for (third-person singular simple present gives someone what-for, present participle giving someone what-for, simple past gave someone what-for, past participle given someone what-for)
(idiomatic) To admonish or berate; to speak angrily at somebody.
He really gave the kid what-for about the baseball through his window.
give someone what-for