slang. [Cf. SOCK v.2] A blow; a beating. Chiefly in phr. to give (one) sock(s, to give a sound thrashing or beating.
a. 1700. B. E., Dict. Cant. Crew, s.v. Tip, Tip the Culls a Sock, for they are sawcy, Knock down the Men for resisting.
1864. Slang Dict., 240. ‘Give him SOCK,’ i.e., thrash him well.
1897. Westm. Gaz., 30 Nov., 2/2. Hope we give these brutes socks; they are plugging us all round now.
