has

The bird has flown.

something that you say which means that someone has escaped or disappeared. It's no use searching any more. The bird has flown.

See also: bird

closing/shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted

trying to stop something bad happening when it has already happened and the situation cannot be changed. Improving security after a major theft would seem to be a bit like closing the stable door after the horse has bolted.

See also: after, bolt, door, horse, shut

Every cloud has a silver lining.

something that you say which means that there is something good even in an unpleasant situation. As the trip's been cancelled I'll be able to go to the match this Saturday. Every cloud has a silver lining.

See also: cloud, every, silver

Every dog has its day.

something that you say which means that everyone is successful during some period in their life. He'll get that promotion eventually. Every dog has its day.

See also: day, dog, every

Everyone has their cross to bear.

a cross (someone has) to bear - an unpleasant situation or responsibility that you must accept because you cannot change it. I hate my red hair and pale skin, but everyone has their cross to bear.

See also: bear, cross, everyone

Has the cat got your tongue?

something that you say to someone when you are annoyed because they will not speak. Well, has the cat got your tongue? I'm waiting for an explanation.

See also: cat, got, tongue

a has-been

someone who was popular and famous in the past but is now forgotten. I forget who the third guest was - some old has-been whose name I didn't even know.

have [done/seen/had etc.] more something than someone has had hot dinners (British & Australian)

to have done, seen, had etc. something many times, so that you have had more experience of it than the person you are talking to. Young man, I've been to more football matches than you've had hot dinners, so you don't have to explain the rules of the game to me.

See also: dinner, done, had, hot, more, seen

The wheel has come/turned full circle.

something that you say which means a situation is the same now as it was before things started to change. The wheel had finally come full circle; we were together as a family again.

See also: circle, come, full, turn, wheel

The worm has turned.

something that you say when someone who has always been weak and obedient starts to behave more confidently or take control of a situation. Yesterday, she just came in and told him to stop bossing her around. The worm has turned!

See also: turn, worm

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someone has got game

someone is able to do something very well. These guys aren't all-stars, but they've still got game.

Usage notes: usually said about someone's ability in sports

See also: game, got

someone/something has more bark than bite

something is not as unpleasant as you expected. The storm turned out to have far more bark than bite. My boss sounds tough, but her bark is much worse than her bite, and she's actually pretty easy to work for once you get to know her.

See also: bark, bite, more