have it
1. To take or use something. If you like that shampoo, you can have it—it didn't do a thing for my hair. A: "Do you want the last piece of cake?" B: "Nah, you can have it. I'm not hungry." That's my very expensive bottle of perfume, and, no, you can't have it! Gosh, are all little sisters as annoying as you?
2. To know something. Sara says she has it on good authority that the boss will let us leave early today. Please, that's just a rumor. You don't have anything on solid facts. A: "I have it on good authority that they're hiring the CEO's daughter." B: "Ugh, that's annoying."
3. To understand, comprehend, or grasp something. When I spell your name, please let me know if I have it right. A: "OK, so the app crashes when you try to open it?" B: "Yes, you have it right." My tutor even helped me with polynomials, and I thought I had it—until I got a D on the test, that is!
4. To claim or maintain that something is the case. Rumor has it that Suzanne is getting the promotion, not George. My sources have it that a big trade is imminent. The tabloids always have it that our relationship is falling apart. An irritating side effect of celebrity, I suppose.
5. To win a vote. The nays have it, so the construction plan will not proceed. The motion advances, so mark it down—the yays have it, 12–2. If the yays have it, the library expansion will finally get off the ground!
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
have it
1. Receive or learn something, as in I have it on the best authority that he's running again. [Late 1600s]
2. Possess a solution, understand, as in Is this the new phone number? Do I have it straight? or I think I have it now. [Mid-1800s]
3. Take it, as in There's some ice cream left; go ahead and have it. This usage is always put as an imperative. [Second half of 1300s]
4. Have the victory, win, as in We've counted the votes and the nays have it. The related expressions have it over someone or have it all over someone mean "to be superior to someone." For example, Jane has it all over Mary when it comes to reading aloud. [Early 1900s]
5. let someone have it. Give a beating, scolding, or punishment. For example, When she gets home Dad will let her have it. [Mid-1800s]
6. have it off. Have sexual intercourse, as in
The two dogs were having it off in the backyard. [
Colloquial; early 1900s] Also see the subsequent idioms beginning with
have it;
not have it.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
ˈhave it (that...)
say that...; claim that...: Rumour has it that you’re going to retire. Is that true? ♢ She will have it that her brother is a better athlete than you, but I don’t believe her.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
have it
1. To assert; maintain: Rumor has it that he quit.
2. To think and act with respect to (something being considered): Have it your way.
3. To gain a victory in a voice vote: The ayes have it.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.