to punish someone who did something wrong earlier.
If you fail to pay enough estimated tax, the IRS will really stick it to you.
Related vocabulary: get even with someone, get back at someone
stick it to (one)
To intensely confront, punish, or retaliate against someone, perhaps vindictively or with unnecessary severity. The reporters really stuck it to him during the press conference, not allowing him to evade any questions.If you feel like you have to stick it to the boss, at least do something that won't get the rest of us in trouble.He stuck it to his parents by driving the car in circles on their front lawn.
stick it to someone
Inf. to give someone a problem; to confront someone. They stuck it to me about the stopped-up drain. He was late, and the boss really stuck it to him.