tan (one's) hide

tan (one's) hide

To spank one. Young lady, I will tan your hide if you disobey me again!See also: hide, tan

tan someone's hide

to spank someone. Billy's mother said she'd tan Billy's hide if he ever did that again. "I'll tan your hide if you're late!" said Tom's father.See also: hide, tan

tan someone's hide

Also, have someone's hide. Spank or beat someone, as in Dad said he'd tan Billy's hide if he caught him smoking, or I'll have your hide if you take something without paying for it. This term uses hide in the sense of "skin." The allusion in the first expression is to a spanking that will change one's skin just as chemicals tan animal hide (convert it into leather). [Second half of 1600s] See also: hide, tan

tan someone's hide

1 beat or flog someone. 2 punish someone severely.See also: hide, tan