a stick to beat someone or something with

stick to beat (someone or something) with

Something, often a mishap or misdeed, that is used as an excuse for criticism. Even the slightest mistake by Stan was enough to give the boss a stick to beat him with.See also: beat, stick

a stick to beat someone or something with

a fact or argument held over someone or something as a threat or an advantage.See also: beat, someone, something, stick