Definition & Meaning of "give somebody the gears"in English

What does "to give someone the gears" mean in Canadian slang?

It is used in Canada to mean scolding, reprimanding, or criticizing someone, often in a persistent or annoying manner, similar to "giving someone a hard time." People typically say "The boss gave me the gears for being late" or "Stop giving me the gears about my driving." The term originated in Canadian English, likely from the idea of putting someone through the gears of a machine (like a transmission), meaning subjecting them to stress or pressure, and remains common in casual speech.