take someone's head off

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take someone's head off (third-person singular simple present takes someone's head off, present participle taking someone's head off, simple past took someone's head off, past participle taken someone's head off)

1. (idiomatic, informal) To berate.
   • 1998, Beverley Harper, Edge of the Rain:

     Pat's Irish but don't hold it against him— he's likely to take your head off.'

   • 2009, Heidi Betts, Loves Me, Loves Me Knot: A Funny Sexy Yarn, page 190:

     She should take his head off for that last remark, but darned if she didn't find him adorable instead.

   • 2012, David Weber, Midst Toil and Tribulation:

     He didn't think the captain would take his head off if he laughed, but he wasn't positive.

2. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see take off,‎ head.
   • 1900, L. F. Baum, The Wizard of Oz:

     "That's fine," said the Scarecrow, and you are welcome to take my head off, as long as it becomes better when you put it back."

   • 2007, Joe Layden, The Last Great Fight:

     "When James hit him with that uppercut, they were right in our corner." recalled Russell. “And I swear to God, I thought [James] was going to take Tyson's head off.”