deal it out
B2 informal separable transitive
In simple words
To give something out to people, especially something like punishment or hits, in a strong and deliberate way.
Literal meaning: To deal (distribute like cards) something out to others.
Meanings
1 B2
idiomatic
informal
To distribute punishment, criticism, or blows forcefully and deliberately to others.
"She could deal it out in an argument but couldn't handle any criticism herself."
Grammar: separable
2 B1 neutral
To distribute or hand out something — such as cards, tasks, or portions — among a group.
"Deal it out evenly — everyone gets a share of the workload."
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
Often used for punishment, pain, criticism, or sometimes justice. The pronoun 'it' is fixed in the set phrase; the object can vary ('deal punishment out', 'deal justice out'). Has a slightly combative or authoritative tone.
Commonly used with
punishment justice pain criticism blows penalties
Forms
Base
deal it out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
deals it out
he/she/it
Past simple
dealt it out
yesterday
Past participle
dealt it out
have + pp
-ing form
dealing it out
continuous
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