give someone the rough side of one’s tongue—speak severely to smb. (about a fault, bad behavior, etc.):
- She stared up at him, fully prepared to give him the rough side of her tongue, then stopped when she saw the look on his face.
give someone tongue—said of an open-mouthed kiss in which one’s tongue is inserted into the other’s mouth:
- We were both teenagers. She wouldn’t even give me tongue when I kissed her.
Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase give tongue—(also: give mouth)
1. utter one’s thoughts; express smth. in words:
- I have several friends who are willing to give tongue in my defense.
2. (of a dog ) bark when on the scent:
- They expected every moment to hear Merrylegs give tongue, but the highly trained performing dog had not barked.