"have a go" is very British slang meaning to moan at or tell someone off. It does need the verb 'have' in there though! It's usually used in past continuous tense (having a go) and less regularly as in the examples. Examples: "She was always having a go at me for leaving the toilet seat up" past continuous present : "Oh, now you want to have a go at me too?" Telling off or moaning at could be used instead. Starting a fight/argument can also be used. Scolding is similar but it's a bit too formal for this phrase, I think.

I have never heard “have a go” used in the US to mean scold or confront as mentioned here. It is used, however, to mean “take a turn” or “try something out”. If a couple is test driving a car to see if they want to buy it, one person could ask after finishing a test drive “Do you want to try driving, Honey?” She could answer “Sure, I’ll have a go.”

Not only can "have a go" mean verbal confrontation, but it can also mean a Physical assault and or confrontation. Certainly in the UK it would but probably not so much in the USA.

Both meanings exist in British English. Siobhan was simply giving you the one that corresponds to your question. . "have a go" mean like a verbal attack, usually connected to chiding, telling someone off, but not only so. It can mean all the way up to an oprn fight. He was extremely angry. He waited and had a go at me in the carpark as we left. Luckily I was not alone or it could have been bad. . They gave me the dice. It was my turn to have a go. (my trun at a game or competition)

Berate or scold would be fitting For example : 1.The teachers would berate me If people wanted to berate me