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A typed and photocopied sheet or sheets of paper outlining the main
points made by a speaker. * /Please look at page three of the
handout./
[hand out] {v.}, {informal} To give (things of the same kind) to
several people. * /The teacher handed out the examination papers./ *
/At the Christmas party Santa Claus handed out the presents under the
tree./ * /Handing out free advice to all your friends will not make
them like you./ Compare: GIVE OUT(3).
[hand over] {v.} To give control or possession of; give (something)
to another person. * /When the teacher saw Johnny reading a comic book
in study period, she made him hand over the book./ * /When Mr. Jones
gets old, he will hand over his business to his son./ Syn.: FORK OVER,
GIVE UP(1), TURN OVER(3).
[hand over fist] {adv. phr.}, {informal} Fast and in large amounts.
* /Fred may get a pony for Christmas because his father is making
money hand over fist./ * /Business is so bad that the store on the
corner is losing money hand over fist./
[hand over hand] {adv. phr.} By taking hold with one hand over the
other alternately. * /The only way to climb a rope is hand over hand./
[hand-pick] {v.}, {informal} To choose very carefully. * /This
debating team should win because its members are all hand-picked./ *
/The political bosses hand-picked a man for mayor who would agree with
them./
[hands-down] {adj.}, {informal} 1. Easy. * /The Rangers won a
hands-down victory in the tournament./ 2. Unopposed; first; clear. *
/Johnny was the hands-down favorite for president of the class./
[hands down] {adv.}, {informal} 1. Without working hard; easily. *
/The Rangers won the game hands down./ 2. Without question or doubt;
without any opposition; plainly. * /Johnny was bands down the best
player on the team./
[hands off] {informal} Keep your hands off or do not interfere;
leave that alone. - Used as a command. * /I was going to touch the
machine, but the man cried, "Hands off!" and I let it alone./
[hands-off] {adj.}, {informal} Leaving alone, not interfering;
inactive. * /The United States told the European governments to follow
a hands-off policy toward Latin America./ * /I did not approve of his
actions, but I have a hands-off rule in personal matters, so I said
nothing./
[handsome is as handsome does] {informal} A person must act well
and generously so that he will be truly worth respecting. - A proverb.
* /Everyone thinks that Bon is a very handsome boy, but he is very
mean too. Handsome is as handsome does./ Compare: FINE FEATHERS DO NOT
MAKE PINE BIRDS.
[hands up] {informal} Hold up your hands! Put your hands up high
and keep them there! - Used as a command. * /The sheriff pointed his
gun at the outlaws and called out, "Hands up!"/ Syn.: REACH FOR THE
SKY.
[hand something to someone on a silver platter] {v. phr.} To give a
person a reward that has not been earned. * /The lazy student expected
his diploma to be handed to him on a silver platter./
[hand to hand] {adv. phr.} Close together, near enough to hit each
other. * /The two soldiers fought hand to hand until one fell badly
wounded./ * /In modern naval warfare, men seldom fight hand to hand./
Compare: FACE TO FACE.
[hand-to-hand] {adj.} Close to each other; near enough to hit each
other. * /The result of the battle was decided in hand-to-hand
combat./ * /When the police tried to break up the riot, there was
hand-to-hand fighting with fists, stones, and clubs./ Compare:
FACE-TO-FACE.
[hand-to-mouth] {adj.} Not providing for the future; living from
day to day; not saving for later. * /Many native tribes lead a
hand-to-mouth existence, content to have food for one day at a time./
* /John is not a saving boy; he spends his money without thought for
the future, and lives a hand-to-mouth life./ See: LIVE FROM HAND TO
MOUTH.
[handwriting on the wall] {n. phr.} A sign that something bad will
happen. * /When Bill's team lost four games in a row, he saw the
handwriting on the wall./ * /John's employer had less and less work
for him; John could read the handwriting on the wall and looked for
another job./
[hang] See: GO HANG, GIVE A HANG or CARE A HANG, GIVE ONE ENOUGH
ROPE, AND HE WILL HANG HIMSELF, LEAVE HANGING or LEAVE HANGING IN THE
AIR.
[hang around] {v.}, {informal} 1. To pass time or stay near without
any real purpose or aim; loaf near or in. * /The principal warned the
students not to hang around the corner drugstore after school./
Compare: HANG OUT(1). 2. To spend time or associate, * /Jim hangs
around with some boys who live in his neighborhood./
[hang back] or [hang off] or [hang behind] 1. To stay some distance
behind or away, be unwilling to move forward. * /Mary offered the
little girl candy, but she was shy and hung back./ 2. To hesitate or
be unwilling to do something. * /Lou wanted Fred to join the club, but
Fred hung off./
[hang behind] See: HANG BACK(1).
[hang by a hair] See: HANG BY A THREAD.
[hang by a thread] or [hang by a hair] {v. phr.} To depend on a
very small thing; be in doubt. * /For three days Tom was so sick that
his life hung by a thread./ * /As Joe got ready to kick a field goal,
the result of the game hung by a hair./ Compare: HANG IN THE BALANCE.
[hanger] See: CREPE HANGER.
[hang fire] {v. phr.} 1. To fail or be slow in shooting or firing.
* /Smith pulled the trigger, but the gun hung fire and the deer
escaped./ 2. To be slow in beginning; to be delayed; to wait. * /The
boys' plans for organizing a scout troop hung fire because they could
not find a man to be scoutmaster./
[hang heavy] or [hang heavy on one's hands] {v. phr.} To pass
slowly or uninterestingly; be boring with little to do. * /The
vacation time hung heavy on Dick's hands because all his friends were
away at camp./ Compare: ON ONE'S HANDS.
[hang in effigy] or [burn in effigy] {v. phr.} To hang or burn a
figure, usually a stuffed dummy, representing a person who is disliked
or scorned. * /When the high school team lost the championship game,
the coach was hung in effigy by the townspeople./ * /During World War
II, Hitler was sometimes burned in effigy in the United States./
[hang in the balance] {v. phr.} To have two equally possible
results; to be in doubt; be uncertain. * /Until Jim scored the winning
touchdown, the outcome of the game hung in the balance./ * /She was
very sick and her life hung in the balance for several days./ Compare:
HANG BY A THREAD.
[hang in (there)] {v. phr.}, {slang}, {informal} To persevere; not
to give up; to stick to a project and not lose faith or courage. *
/Hang in there old buddy; the worst is yet to come./
[hang it] {interj.}, {informal} An exclamation used to express
annoyance or disappointment. * /Oh, hang it! I forgot to bring the
book I wanted to show you./ * /Hang it all, why don't you watch where
you're going?/
[hang off] See: HANG BACK.
[hang on] {v.} 1. To hold on to something, usually tightly. * /Jack
almost fell off the cliff, but managed to hang on until help came./
Syn.: HOLD ON(1). 2a. To continue doing something; persist. * /The
grocer was losing money every day, but he hung on, hoping that
business would improve./ Compare: HOLD OUT, STICK OUT. 2b. To hold a
lead in a race or other contest while one's opponents try to rally. *
/The favorite horse opened an early lead and hung on to win as two
other horses almost passed him in the final stretch./ * /Bunning,
staked to a 6-0 lead in the first inning, hung on to heat the Dodgers
6-4./ 3. To continue to give trouble or cause suffering. * /Lou's cold
hung on from January to April./ 4. To continue listening on the
telephone. * /Jerry asked John, who had called him on the phone, to
hung on while he ran for a pencil and a sheet of paper./ Compare: HOLD
ON(3).
[hang one on] {v. phr.}, {slang} 1. To give a heavy blow to; hit
hard. * /The champion hung one on his challenger in the second round
and knocked him out of the ring./ 2. To get very drunk. * /After Smith
lost his job, he went to a bar and hung one on./
[hang one's head] {v. phr.} To bend your head forward in shame. *
/Johnny hung his head when the teacher asked him if he broke the
window./ Compare: HIDE ONE'S HEAD.
[hang on the words of] also [hang on the lips of] {v. phr.} To
listen very attentively to. * /Ann hangs on every word of her history
teacher and takes very careful notes. / * /As he went on with his
speech, his auditors, deeply interested, hung on his lips./
[hang on to] {v.} To hold tightly; keep firmly. * /The child hung
on to its mother's apron, and would not let go./ * /John did not like
his job, but decided to hang on to it until he found a better one./
[hang on to one's mother's apron strings] See: TIED TO ONE'S
MOTHER'S APRON STRINGS.
[hang on to your hat] or [hold on to your hat] or [hold your hat]
{v. phr.}, {informal} 1. Watch out; be prepared. - Used as a command,
usually to warn of an unexpected action. * /"Hold on to your hat,"
said Jim as he stepped on the gas and the car shot forward./ 2. Get
ready for a surprise. - Used as a command, usually to warn of
unexpected news. * /"Hold on to your hat," said Mary. "Jim asked me to
marry him."/
[hang out] {v.} 1. {slang} To spend your time idly or lounging
about. * /The teacher complained that Joe was hanging out in poolrooms
instead of doing his homework./ Compare: HANG AROUND(1). 2. {slang} To
live; reside. * /Two policemen stopped the stranger and asked him
where he hung out./ 3. To reach out farther than the part below. *
/The branches of the trees hung out over the road./ * /The upper floor
of that house hangs out above the first./
[hang out one's shingle] {v. phr.}, {informal} To give public
notice of the opening of an office, especially a doctor's or lawyer's
office, by putting up a small signboard. * /The young doctor hung out
his shingle and soon had a large practice./
[hangover] {n.} A bad feeling of nausea and/or headache the day
after one has had too much to drink. * /Boy, did I have a hangover
after that party yesterday!/
[hang over] {v.} 1. To be going to happen to; threaten. * /Great
trouble hangs over the little town because its only factory has closed
down./ 2. To remain to be finished or settled. * /The committee took
up the business that hung over from its last meeting./
[hang over one's head] {v. phr.} To be a danger or threat to you. -
An overused phrase. * /Over Jimmy's head hung the teacher's suspicion
that Jimmy had cheated in the final examination./ * /Death hangs over
a bullfighter's head every time he performs./
[hang round] See: HANG AROUND.
[hang ten] {v.}, {slang} 1. To be an outstanding performer on a
surfboard or on a skateboard (referring to the user's ten toes). * /I
bet I am going to be able to hang ten if you let me practice on your
skateboard./ 2. To be a survivor despite great odds. * /Don't worry
about Jack, he can hang ten anywhere!/
[hang together] {v.} 1. To stay united; help and defend one
another. * /The club members always hung together when one of them was
in trouble./ Syn.: STICK TOGETHER. Compare: STAND BY, STAND UP FOR. 2.
{informal} To form a satisfactory whole; fit together. * /Jack's story
of why he was absent from school seems to hang together./
[hang up] {v.} 1. To place on a hook, peg, or hanger. * /When the
children come to school, they hang up their coats in the cloakroom./
2a. To place a telephone receiver back on its hook and break the
connection. * /Carol's mother told her she had talked long enough on
the phone and made her hang up./ 2b. To put a phone receiver back on
its hook while the other person is still talking. - Used with "on". *
/I said something that made Joe angry, and he hung up on me./ 3a.
{informal} To cause to be stuck or held so as to be immovable. -
Usually used in the passive. * /Ann's car was hung up in a snowdrift
and she had to call a garageman to get it out./ 3b. {informal} To
stick or get held so as to be immovable. * /A big passenger ship hung
up on a sandbar for several hours./ 4. {informal} To cause a wait;
delay. * /Rehearsals for the school play were hung up by the illness
of some of the actors./ 5. {informal} To set (a record.) * /Bob hung
up a school record for long distance swimming./
[hang-up] {n.}, {informal} (stress on "hang") 1. A delay in some
process. * /The mail has been late for several days; there must be
some hang-up with the trucks somewhere./ 2. A neurotic reaction to
some life situation probably stemming from a traumatic shock which has
gone unconscious. * /Doctor Simpson believes that Suzie's frigidity is
due to some hang-up about men./
[happen on] or [happen upon] {v.}, {literary} To meet or find
accidentally or by chance. * /The Girl Scouts happened on a charming
little brook not far from the camp./ * /At the convention I happened
upon an old friend I had not seen for years./ Syn.: CHANCE ON, COME
ACROSS(1),(3). Compare: HIT ON.
[happy] See: STRIKE A HAPPY MEDIUM, TRIGGER HAPPY at QUICK ON THE
TRIGGER.
[happy as the day is long] {adj. phr.} Cheerful and happy. * /Carl
is happy as the day is long because school is over for the summer./
[happy-go-lucky] See: FOOTLOOSE AND FANCY-FREE.
[happy hour] {n.}, {informal} A time in bars or restaurants when
cocktails are served at a reduced rate, usually one hour before they
start serving dinner. * /Happy hour is between 6 and 7 P.M. at
Celestial Gardens./
[happy hunting ground] {n. phr.} 1. The place where, in American
Indian belief, a person goes after death; heaven. * /The Indians
believed that at death they went to the happy hunting ground./ 2.
{informal} A place or area where you can find a rich variety of what
you want, and plenty of it. * /The forest is a happy hunting ground
for scouts who are interested in plants and flowers./ * /Shell
collectors find the ocean beaches happy hunting grounds./
[hard] See: GIVE A HARD TIME, GO HARD WITH, SCHOOL OF HARD KNOCKS.
[hard-and-fast] {adj.} Not to be broken or changed; fixed; strict.
* /The teacher said that there was a hard-and-fast rule against
smoking in the school./
[hard as nails] {adj. phr.}, {informal} 1. Not flabby or soft;
physically very fit; tough and strong. * /After a summer of work in
the country, Jack was as hard as nails, without a pound of extra
weight./ 2. Not gentle or mild; rough; stern. * /Johnny works for a
boss who is as hard as nails and scolds Johnny roughly whenever he
does something wrong./
[hard-boiled] {adj.} Unrefined; tough; merciless. * /"Because you
were two minutes late," my hard-boiled boss cried, "I will deduct
fifteen minutes worth from your salary!"/
[hard cash] See: COLD CASH.
[hard feeling] {n.} Angry or bitter feeling; enmity. - Usually used
in the plural. * /Jim asked Andy to shake hands with him, just to show
that there were no hard feelings./ * /Bob and George once quarreled
over a girl, and there are still hard feelings between them./
[hard-fisted] {adj.} 1. Able to do hard physical labor; strong. *
/Jack's uncle was a hard-fisted truck driver with muscles of steel./
2. Not gentle or easy-going; tough; stern. * /The new teacher was a
hard-fisted woman who would allow no nonsense./ 3. Stingy or mean; not
generous with money. * /The hard-fisted banker refused to lend Mr.
Jones more money for his business./
[hard going] {adj. phr.} Fraught with difficulty. * /Dave finds his
studies of math hard going./
[hardheaded] {adj.} Stubborn; shrewd; practical. * /Don is a
hardheaded businessman who made lots of money, even during the
recession./
[hardhearted] {adj.} Unsympathetic; merciless. * /Jack is so
hardhearted that even his own children expect nothing from him./
[hard-hitting] {adj.} Working hard to get things done; strong and
active; stubbornly eager. * /The boys put on a hard-hitting drive to
raise money for uniforms for the football team./ * /He is a
hard-hitting and successful football coach./
[hard line] {n. phr.} Tough political policy. * /Although modern
economists were trying to persuade him to open up to the West, Castro
has always taken the hard line approach./
[hard-liner] {n.} A politician who takes the hard line. See: HARD
LINE.
[hard luck] See: TOUGH LUCK.
[hardly any] or [scarcely any] Almost no or almost none; very few.
* /Hardly any of the students did well on the test, so the teacher
explained the lesson again./ * /Charles and his friends each had three
cookies, and when they went out, hardly any cookies were left./
[hardly ever] or [scarcely ever] {adv. phr.} Very rarely; almost
never; seldom. * /It hardly ever snows in Florida./ * /Johnny hardly
ever reads a book./
[hard-nosed] {adj.}, {slang} Tough or rugged; very strict; not weak
or soft; stubborn, especially in a fight or contest. * /Joe's father
was a hard-nosed army officer who had seen service in two wars./ *
/Pete is a good boy; he plays hard-nosed football./ Compare:
HARD-BOILED.
[hard nut to crack] also [tough nut to crack] {n. phr.}, {informal}
Something difficult to understand or to do. * /Tom's algebra lesson
was a hard nut to crack./ * /Mary found knitting a hard nut to crack./
Compare: HARD ROW TO HOE.
[hard of hearing] {adj.} Partially deaf. * /Some people who are
hard of hearing wear hearing aids./
[hard-on] {n.}, {vulgar}, {avoidable}. An erection of the male
sexual organ.
[hard put] or [hard put to it] {adj.} In a difficult position;
faced with difficulty; barely able. * /John was hard put to find a
good excuse for his lateness in coming to school./ * /The scouts found
themselves hard put to it to find the way home./
[hard row to hoe] or [tough row to hoe] {n. phr.} A hard life to
live; a very hard job to do. * /She has a hard row to hoe with six
children and her husband dead./ * /Young people without enough
education will have a tough row to hoe when they have to support
themselves./ Syn.: HARD SLEDDING. Compare: DOWN ON ONE'S LUCK, HARD
NUT TO CRACK.
[hard sell] {n.}, {informal} A kind of salesmanship characterized
by great vigor, aggressive persuasion, and great eagerness on the part
of the person selling something; opposed to "soft sell". * /Your hard
sell turns off a lot of people; try the soft sell for a change, won't
you?/
[hard sledding] or [rough sledding] or [tough sledding] {n.},
{informal} Difficulty in succeeding or making progress. * /Jane had
hard sledding in her math course because she was poorly prepared./ *
/When Mr. Smith started his new business, he had tough sledding for a
while but things got better./
[hard-top] {n.} 1. A car that has a metal roof; a car that is not a
convertible. * /Every spring Mr. Jones sells his hard-top and buys a
convertible./ 2. or [hardtop convertible] A car with windows that can
be completely lowered with no partitions left standing, and with a top
that may or may not be lowered. * /Mr. Brown's new car is a hardtop
convertible./
[hard up] {adj.}, {informal} Without enough money or some other
needed thing. * /Dick was hard up and asked Lou to lend him a dollar./
* /The campers were hard up for water because their well had run dry./
Compare: UP AGAINST IT.
[hard way] {n.} The harder or more punishing of two or more ways to
solve a problem, do something, or learn something. - Used with "the".
* /The mayor refused the help of the crooks and won the election the
hard way by going out to meet the people./ * /The challenger found out
the hard way that the champion's left hand had to be avoided./
[hare] See: MAD AS A HATTER or MAD AS A MARCH HARE, RUN WITH THE
HARE AND HUNT (RIDE) WITH THE HOUNDS.
[harebrained] {adj.} Thoughtless; foolish. * /Most of the
harebrained things Ed does may be attributable to his youth and lack
of experience./
[hark back] {v.}, {literary} 1. To recall or turn back to an
earlier time or happening. * /Judy is always harking back to the good
times she had at camp./ 2. To go back to something as a beginning or
origin. * /The cars of today hark back to the first automobiles made
about 1900./ * /The slit in the back of a man's coal harks back to the
days when men rode horseback./
[harp away at] or [on] {v.} To mention again and again. * /In his
campaign speeches, Jones harps on his rival's wealth and powerful
friends./
[Harry] See: TOM, DICK, AND HARRY.
[harum-scarum(1)] {adv.}, {informal} In a careless, disorderly or
reckless way. * /Jim does his homework harum-scarum, and that is why
his schoolwork is so poor./
[harum-scarum(2)] {adj.}, {informal} Careless, wild, or disorderly
in one's acts or performance; reckless. * /Jack is such a harum-scarum
boy that you can never depend on him to do anything right./
[hash] See: SETTLE ONE'S HASH, SLING HASH.
[hash house] {n.}, {slang} An eating place where cheap meals are
served. * /Joe and his friends went to a hash house around the corner
after the game./
[hash out] {v.}, {informal} To talk all about and try to agree on;
discuss thoroughly. * /The teacher asked Susan and Jane to sit down
together and hash out their differences./ * /The students hashed out
the matter and decided to drop it./
[hash up] {v.}, {slang} 1. To make a mess of; do badly. * /Bob
really hashed up that exam and failed the course./ 2. To bring to
life; remember and talk about. * /The teacher advised Sue not to hash
up old bitterness against her schoolmates./
[haste] See: MAKE HASTE.
[hat] See: AT THE DROP OF A HAT, BRASS HAT, HANG ON TO YOUR HAT or
HOLD ON TO YOUR HAT or HOLD YOUR HAT, HIGH-HAT, KEEP UNDER ONE'S HAT,
OLD HAT, PULL OUT OF A HAT, TAKE OFF ONE'S HAT TO, TALK THROUGH ONE'S
HAT, TEN-GALLON HAT, THROW ONE'S HAT IN THE RING.
[hat in hand] {adv. phr.}, {informal} In a humble and respectful
manner. * /They went hat in hand to the old woman to ask for her
secret recipe./
[hatch] See: COUNT ONE'S CHICKENS BEFORE THEY ARE HATCHED.
[hatchet] See: BURY THE HATCHET.
[hatchet face] {n.} A long narrow face with sharp parts; also, a
person with such a face. * /Johnny was sent to the principal's office
because he called his teacher old hatchet face./ * /He was
hatchet-faced and not at all handsome./
[hatchet job] {n. phr.}, {slang} 1. The act of saying or writing
terrible things about someone or something, usually on behalf of one's
boss or organization. * /When Phil makes speeches against the
competition exaggerating their weaknesses, he is doing the hatchet job
on behalf of our president./ 2. A ruthless, wholesale job of editing a
script whereby entire paragraphs or pages are omitted. * /Don, my
editor, did a hatchet job on my new novel./
[hatchet man] {n.}, {colloquial} 1. A politician or newspaper
columnist whose job is to write and say unfavorable things about the
opposition. * /Bill Lerner is the hatchet man for the Mayor's Party;
he smears all the other candidates regularly./ 2. An executive officer
in a firm whose job it is to fire superfluous personnel, cut back on
the budget, etc., in short, to do the necessary but unpleasant things.
* /The firm hired Cranhart to be hatchet man; his title is that of
Executive Vice President./
[hate one's guts] {v. phr.}, {slang} To feel a very strong dislike
for someone. * /Dick said that he hated Fred's guts because Fred had
been very mean to him./
[hats off to] or [one's hat is off to] {truncated phr.}, {informal}
Used to recognize and praise a job well-done. * /Hats off to anyone
who runs the twenty-six mile race./ * /My hat is off to the chef who
created this delicious meal./ Compare: TAKE OFF ONE'S HAT TO.
[hatter] See: MAD AS A HATTER.
[haul] See: LONG HAUL.
[haul down] {v.}, {informal} 1. To catch (as a ball) usually after
a long run. * /Willie hauled down a long fly to center field for the
third out./ * /The star halfback hauled down the pass for a
touchdown./ 2. To tackle in football. * /Ted was hauled down from
behind when he tried to run with the ball./
[haul down one's colors] or [strike one's colors] {v. phr.} 1. To
pull down a flag, showing you are beaten and want to stop fighting. *
/After a long battle, the pirate captain hauled down his colors./ 2.
To admit you are beaten; say you want to quit. * /After losing two
sets of tennis, Tom hauled down his color./
[haul in] or [haul up] or [pull in] {v.}, {slang} To bring before
someone in charge for punishment or questioning; arrest. * /John was
hauled in to court for speeding./ * /The tramp was hauled up for
sleeping on the sidewalk./ Compare: CALL ON THE CARPET.
[haul in one's horns] See: PULL IN ONE'S HORNS.
[haul off] {v.} To move suddenly. - Used with "and" usually before
a verb like "hit" or "kick". * /Ed hauled off and hit the other boy in
the nose./ * /Lee hauled off and threw a touchdown pass./
[haul over the coals] or [rake over the coals] {v. phr.} To
criticize sharply; rebuke; scold. * /The sergeant raked the soldier
over the coals for being late for roll call./ Syn.: DRESS DOWN.
[have] See: CAT HAS NINE LIVES, ONE'S CAKE AND HAVE IT TOO, EVERY
CLOUD HAS A SILVER LINING, EVERY DOG HAS HIS DAY, HAVE NOTHING ON or
HAVE ANYTHING ON, LITTLE PITCHERS HAVE BIG EARS, or an important word
after this in the sentence.
[have] or [get] or [develop a crush on] {v. phr.} To be infatuated
with someone. * /Walter has a terrible crush on his English teacher,
but she is a lot older and doesn't take it seriously./
[have a ball] {v. phr.}, {slang} Enjoy yourself very much; have a
wonderful time. * /Johnny had a ball at camp./ * /Mary and Tim have a
ball exploring the town./ * /After their parents left, the children
had a ball./ Syn.: HAVE A TIME(2).
[have a bone to pick] See: BONE TO PICK.
[have a care] {v. phr.}, {formal} To be careful what you do. *
/Jane, have a care what you're doing with that valuable glass./ * /The
judge told him to have a care what he said in court./
[have a field day] {v. phr.} To enjoy great success or unlimited
opportunity. * /The visiting basketball team was so weak that our
school had a field day scoring one point after another./
[have a finger in the pie] See: FINGER IN THE PIE.
[have a fit] or [have fits] or [throw a fit] {v. phr.} 1. To have a
sudden illness with stiffness or jerking of the body. * /Our dog had a
fit yesterday./ 2. {informal} To become angry or upset. * /Father will
throw a fit when he sees the dent in the car./ * /Howard will have a
fit when he learns that he lost the election./ * /When John decided to
drop out of college, his parents had fits./
[have a go at] {v. phr.}, {informal} To try, especially after
others have tried. * /Bob asked Dick to let him have a go at shooting
at the target with Dick's rifle./ * /She had a go at archery, but did
not do very well./
[have a good head on one's shoulders] {v. phr.} To be smart;
intelligent; well educated. * /Rob is not the handsomest guy in the
world but the girls appreciate him because he has a good head on his
shoulders./
[have a (good) head for] {v. phr.} To have a special talent in a
certain area. * /Joan has quite a good head for business
administration./
[have a (good) mind to] {v. phr.} To consider doing; intend to with
a high degree of probability. * /I have a good mind to tell my boss
that he doesn't know how to run our enterprise./
[have a hand in] {v. phr.} To have a part in or influence over; to
be partly responsible for. * /Sue's schoolmates respect her and she
has a hand in every important decision made by the Student Council./ *
/Ben had a hand in getting ready the Senior play./ Compare: FINGER IN
THE PIE.
[have a heart] {v. phr.}, {informal} To stop being mean; be kind,
generous, or sympathetic. * /Have a heart, Bob, and lend me two
dollars./ * /Have a heart, Mary, and help me with this lesson./ * /He
didn't know if the teacher would have a heart and pass him./
[have a heart-to-heart talk] {v. phr.} To confide in someone with
great intimacy. * /Jill and her mother had a heart-to-heart talk
before she decided to move in with Andrew./
[have all one's buttons] or [have all one's marbles] {v. phr.},
{slang} To have all your understanding; be reasonable. - Usually used
in the negative or conditionally. * /Mike acts sometimes as if he
didn't have all his buttons./ * /He would not go to town barefooted if
he had all his marbles./
[have a mind of one's own] {v. phr.} To be independent in one's
thinking and judgment. * /Tow has always had a mind of his own so
there is no use trying to convince him how to vote./
[have an affair with] {v. phr.} To have a sexual relationship with
someone, either before marriage or outside of one's marriage. * /Tow
and Jane had a long and complex affair but they never got married./
[have an ear for] {v. phr.} To have a keen perception; have a taste
or a talent for; be sensitive to something. * /I have no ear
whatsoever for foreign languages or music./
[have an ear to the ground] See: EAR TO THE GROUND.
[have an edge on] {v. phr.}, {informal} 1. To have an advantage
over someone or something else in the course of an evaluative
comparison. * /I can't beat you at tennis, but I have an edge on you
in ping-pong./ 2. To be mildly intoxicated; to have had a few drinks.
* /Joe sure had an edge on when I saw him last night./ Compare: EDGE
ON.
[have an eye for] {v. phr.} To be able to judge correctly of; have
good taste in. * /She has an eye for color and style in clothes./ *
/He has an eye for good English usage./
[have an eye on] or [have one's eye on] {v. phr.}, {informal} 1. To
look at or think about (something wanted); have a wish for; have as an
aim. * /I bought ice cream, but Jimmy had his eye on some candy./ *
/John has his eye on a scholarship so he can go to college./ Compare:
IN MIND. 2. See: KEEP AN EYE ON(1).
[have an eye out] See: EYE OUT.
[have an eye] to See: EYE TO.
[have an itch for] or [to do] See: BE ITCHING TO.
[have a nodding acquaintance with] See: NODDING ACQUAINTANCE.
[have a price on one's head] See: PRICE ON ONE'S HEAD.
[have a rough idea about] See: ROUGH IDEA.
[have a say in] or [a voice in] {v. phr.} To have the right to
express one's opinion or cast a vote in a pending matter. * /Our boss
is friendly and democratic; he always encourages us to have a say in
what we will do next./
[have a screw loose] {v. phr,}, {slang} To act in a strange way; to
be foolish. * /Now I know he has a screw loose - he stole a police car
this time./ * /He was a smart man but had a screw loose and people
thought him odd./
[have a snowball's chance in hell] {v. phr.} To be condemned to
failure; enjoy a zero chance of success. * /Pessimists used to think
that we had a snowball's chance in hell to put a man on the moon; yet
we did it in July, 1969./
[have a soft spot in one's heart for] {v. phr.} To be
sympathetically inclined towards; entertain a predilection for. * /Ron
always had a soft spot in his heart for intellectual women wearing
miniskirts./
[have a sweet tooth] {v. phr.} To be excessively fond of dessert
items, such as ice cream, pies, etc. * /Jill has a sweet tooth; she
always orders apple pie after a meal in a restaurant./
[have a time] {v. phr.}, {informal} 1. To have trouble; have a hard
time. * /Poor Susan had a time trying to get the children to go to
bed./ * /John had a time passing his math course./ 2. To have a good
time; to have fun. - Used with a reflexive pronoun. * /Bob had himself
a time going to every night club in town./ * /Mary had herself a time
dancing at the party./ Syn.: HAVE A BALL.
[have a way with] {v. phr.} To be able to lead, persuade, or
influence. * /Dave has such a way with the campers that they do
everything he tells them to do./ * /Ted will be a good veterinarian,
because he has a way with animals./
[have a word with] {v. phr.} 1. To talk, discuss, or speak briefly
with. * /Robert, I need to have a word with you about tomorrow's
exam./ 2. To engage in a sincere discussion with the purpose of
persuading the other person or let him or her know of one's
dissatisfaction. * /Our boss has been making funny decisions lately; I
think we ought to have a word with him./
[have been around] {v. phr.}, {informal} Have been to many places
and done many things; know people; have experience and be able to take
care of yourself. * /Uncle Willie is an old sailor and has really been
around./ * /Betty likes to go out with Jerry, because he has been
around./ * /It's not easy to fool him; he's been around./ Compare: GET
AROUND, KNOW ONE'S WAY AROUND.
[have dibs on] or [put dibs on] {v. phr.}, {slang} To demand a
share of something or to be in line for the use of an object usable by
more than one person. * /Don't throw your magazine away! I put (my)
dibs on it, remember?/
[have done] {v.}, {formal} To stop; finish. * /When the teacher had
done, she asked for questions from the class./ * /If you have done, I
will explain the matter./
[have done with] {v.} To stop doing or using something. * /When you
have done with that paintbrush, Barbara, I would like to use it. * /I
wish you would have done with your criticisms./
[have eyes only for] {v. phr.} To see or want nothing else but;
give all your attention to; be interested only in. * /Of all the
horses in the show, John had eyes only for the big white one./ * /All
the girls liked Fred, but he had eyes only for Helen./
[have fits] See: HAVE A FIT.
[have got to] {v. phr.} Must; be in great need to do something; be
obliged to. * /I am sorry but we have got to leave, otherwise, we'll
miss the last train./
[have had it] {v. phr.}, {slang} To have experienced or suffered
all you can; to have come to the end of your patience or life. *
/"I've had it," said Lou, "I'm resigning from the job of chairman
right now."/ * /When the doctor examined the man who had been shot, he
said, "He's had it."/
[have hair] {v. phr.}, {slang} To possess courage, fortitude, guts,
sex-appeal. * /I like him, he's got a lot of hair./
[have] or [hold the whip over] {v. phr.} To control; dominate. *
/Eugene has always held the whip over his younger brothers and
sisters./
[have in mind] {v. phr.} To plan; intend; select. * /We don't know
whom our boss has in mind for the new position./
[have in one's hair] See: IN ONE'S HAIR.
[have in the palm of one's hand] {v. phr.} To completely control;
have a project finished, all wrapped up. * /Our boss felt that if he
could calm his critics he would soon have the entire factory in the
palm of his hand./
[have it] {v. phr.} 1. To hear or get news; understand. * /I have
it on the best authority that we will be paid for our work next week./
2. To do something in a certain way. * /Make up your mind, because you
can't have it both ways. You must either stay home or come with us./ *
/Bobby must have it his way and play the game by his rules./ 3. To
claim; say. * /Rumor has it that the school burned down./ * /Gossip
has it that Mary is getting married./ * /The man is very smart the way
his family has it, but I think he's silly./ 4. To allow it. - Usually
used with "will" or "would" in negative sentences. * /Mary wanted to
give the party at her house, but her mother wouldn't have it./ Syn.:
HEAR OF, STAND FOR. 5. To win. * /When the senators vote, the ayes
will have it./ 6. To get or find the answer; think of how to do
something. * /"I have it!" said John to Mary. "We can buy Mother a
nice comb for her birthday."/ 7. {informal} To have an (easy, good,
rough, soft) time; have (certain kinds of) things happen to you; be
treated in a (certain) way by luck or life. * /Everyone liked Joe and
he had it good until he got sick./ * /Mary has it easy; she doesn't
have to work./ 8. See: AS LUCK WOULD HAVE IT.
[have it all over] See: HAVE IT OVER.
[have it coming] {v. phr.} To deserve the good or bad things that
happen to you. * /I feel sorry about Jack's failing that course, but
he had it coming to him./ * /Everybody said that Eve had it coming
when she won the scholarship./ Compare: ASK FOR, GET WHAT'S COMING TO
ONE, SERVE RIGHT.
[have it in for] {v. phr.}, {informal} To wish or mean to harm;
have a bitter feeling against. * /George has it in for Bob because Bob
told the teacher that George cheated in the examination./ * /After
John beat Ted in a fight, Ted always had it in for John./
[have it made] {v. phr.}, {slang} To be sure of success; have
everything you need. * /With her fine grades Alice has it made and can
enter any college in the country./ * /The other seniors think Joe has
it made because his father owns a big factory./
[have it out] {v. phr.} To settle a difference by a free discussion
or by a fight. * /Joe called Bob a bad name, so they went back of the
school and had it out. Joe got a bloody nose and Bob got a black eye./
* /The former friends finally decided to have it out in a free
argument and they became friends again./
[have it over] or [have it all over] {v. phr.} To be better than;
be superior to. * /Anne has it all over Jane in looks and charm./ * /A
professional golfer usually has it all over an amateur./ * /A jeep has
it over a regular car on rough mountain trails./ Compare: BEAT ALL
HOLLOW.
[have kittens] {v. phr.}, {slang} To become very much worried or
upset. * /Mrs. Jones was having kittens because if was very late and
Susan wasn't home yet./ Compare: HAVE A FIT.
[have lots (everything) going for one] {v. phr.} To have abilities
or qualities that help in achieving one's goal; assets working in
one's favor. * /The young woman will surely get the job; she has
everything going for her./
[have money to burn] See: MONEY TO BURN.
[have no business] {v. phr.} To have no right or reason. * /Jack
had no business saying those nasty things about Dick./ * /Vern's
mother told him he had no business going swimming that day./
[have none of] {v. phr.} To refuse to approve or allow. * /The
teacher said she would have none of Mike's arguing./ * /When the
fullback refused to obey the captain, the captain said he would have
none of that./
[have nothing on] or [not have anything on] {v. phr.} Not to be any
better than; to have no advantage over. * /Susan is a wonderful
athlete, but when it comes to dancing she has nothing on Mary./ *
/Even though he is older, John has nothing on Peter in school./ *
/Although the Smiths have a Rolls Royce, they have nothing on the
Jones' who have a Cadillac and a Jaguar./ 2. To have no information or
proof that someone broke the law. * /Mr. James was not worried when he
was arrested because he was sure they had nothing on him./ * /Mr.
Brown was an honest politician and they had nothing on him./
[have nothing to do with] {v. phr.} To not be involved with; not
care about. * /Our firm has nothing to do with oil from the Near East;
we are interested in solar energy./
[have no use for] See: NO USE.
[have on] {v.} 1. To be dressed in; wear. * /Mary had on her new
dress./ 2. To have (something) planned; have an appointment; plan to
do. * /Harry has a big weekend on./ * /I'm sorry I can't attend your
party, but I have a meeting on for that night./ 3. See: HAVE NOTHING
ON, HAVE SOMETHING ON.
[have one's ass in a sling] {v. phr.}, {slang}, {vulgar},
{avoidable} To be in an uncomfortable predicament; to be in the
dog-house; to be at a disadvantage. * /Al sure had his ass in a sling
when the boss found out about his juggling the account./
[have one's cake and eat it too] {v. phr.} To enjoy two opposite
advantages. * /You can either spend your money going to Europe or save
it for a down payment on a house, but you can't do both. That would be
having your cake and eating it, too./
[have one's ear] {v. phr.} To have access to someone in power;
receive audiences rather frequently. * /The national security advisor
has the president's ear./
[have one's ears on] {v. phr.}, {slang}, {citizen's band radio
jargon} To have one's CB radio in receiving condition. * /Good buddy
in the eighteen wheeler southbound, got your ears on?/
[have oneself] {v. phr.}, {nonstandard} To enjoy. - Sometimes used
in very informal speech to provide emphasis. * /As soon as their
parents left, the boys had themselves some fun./ * /After working hard
all day, John had himself a good night's sleep./
[have one's feet planted firmly in the ground] See: FEET ON THE
GROUND.
[have one's fill] {v. phr.} To be satisfied; be surfeited; be
overindulged. * /Howard says he's had his fill of expensive golf
tournaments in Europe./
[have one's fling] {v. phr.} To have one or more romantic and/or
sexual experiences, usually before marriage. * /Jack has had his fling
and now seems to be ready to get married and settle down./
[have one's hand in the till] See: ROB THE TILL.
[have one's hands full] {v. phr.} To have as much work as you can
do; be very busy. * /The plumber said that he had his hands full and
could not take another job for two weeks./ * /With three small
children to take care of, Susie's mother has her hands full./
[have one's hands tied] See: TIED ONE'S HANDS.
[have one's head in the sand] See: HIDE ONE'S HEAD IN THE SAND.
[have one's head screwed on backwards] {v. phr.} To lack common
sense; behave in strange and irrational ways. * /Henry seems to have
his head screwed on backwards; he thinks the best time to get a suntan
is when it is raining and to sleep with his shoes on./
[have one's heart in the right place] See: HEART IS IN THE RIGHT
PLACE.
[have one's hide] {v. phr.}, {informal} To punish severely. *
/John's mother said she would have his hide if he was late to school
again./
[have one's nose to the grindstone] See: KEEP ONE'S NOSE TO THE
GRINDSTONE.
[have one's number] See: GET ONE'S NUMBER.
[have one's wings clipped] See: CLIP ONE'S WING.
[have one's wits about one] {v. phr.} To be alert; remain calm; not
panic. * /Sam was the only one who kept his wits about him when the
floodwaters of the Mississippi broke into our yard./
[have one's work cut out] See: CUT OUT(1).
[have on the ball] See: ON THE BALL.
[have qualms about] {v. phr.} To feel uneasy about; hesitate about
something. * /Mike had no qualms in telling Sue that he was no longer
in love with her./
[have rocks in one's head] {v. phr.}, {informal} To be stupid; not
have good judgment. * /When Mr. James quit his good job with the coal
company to begin teaching school, some people thought he had rocks in
his head./
[have second thoughts about] See: SECOND THOUGHT(s).
[have seen better days] See: SEE BETTER DAYS.
[have someone by the balls] {v. phr.}, {slang}, {vulgar},
{avoidable} To have someone at a disadvantage or in one's power. *
/The kidnappers had the company by the balls for six long weeks./
[have something going for one] {v. phr.}, {slang}, {informal} To
have ability, talent; good looks, and/or influence in important places
helping one to be successful. * /Well now, Pat Jones, that's another
story - she's got something going for her./
[have something on] {v. phr.}, {informal} To have information or
proof that someone did something wrong. * /Mr. Jones didn't want to
run for office because he knew the opponents had something on him./ *
/Mr. Smith keeps paying blackmail to a man who has something on him./
* /Although Miss Brown is not a good worker, her boss does not fire
her because she has something on him./ Compare: GET THE GOODS ON.
Contrast: HAVE NOTHING ON.
[have something on the ball] {v. phr.}, {slang}, {colloquial} To be
smart, clever; to be skilled and have the necessary know-how. * /You
can trust Syd; he's got a lot on the ball OR he's got something on the
ball./
[have sticky fingers] See: STICKY FINGERS.
[have or take a shot at] See: HAVE GO AT.
[have the best of] or [have the better of] See: GET THE BETTER
OF(2).
[have the better of] or [have the best of] See: GET THE BETTER OF.
[have the cart before the horse] See: CART BEFORE THE HORSE.
[have the constitution of an ox] {v. phr.} To be able to work
extremely hard and to have the stamina to overcome misfortune. *
/Stan, who has lost both of his parents within one year and is
constantly working late, seems to be indestructible, as if he had the
constitution of an ox./
[have the courage of one's convictions] {v. phr.} To be brave
enough to act according to your beliefs. * /Steve showed that he had
the courage of his convictions by refusing to help another student
cheat in the exam./ * /Owen knew that Pete had started the fight, but
points made by a speaker. * /Please look at page three of the
handout./
[hand out] {v.}, {informal} To give (things of the same kind) to
several people. * /The teacher handed out the examination papers./ *
/At the Christmas party Santa Claus handed out the presents under the
tree./ * /Handing out free advice to all your friends will not make
them like you./ Compare: GIVE OUT(3).
[hand over] {v.} To give control or possession of; give (something)
to another person. * /When the teacher saw Johnny reading a comic book
in study period, she made him hand over the book./ * /When Mr. Jones
gets old, he will hand over his business to his son./ Syn.: FORK OVER,
GIVE UP(1), TURN OVER(3).
[hand over fist] {adv. phr.}, {informal} Fast and in large amounts.
* /Fred may get a pony for Christmas because his father is making
money hand over fist./ * /Business is so bad that the store on the
corner is losing money hand over fist./
[hand over hand] {adv. phr.} By taking hold with one hand over the
other alternately. * /The only way to climb a rope is hand over hand./
[hand-pick] {v.}, {informal} To choose very carefully. * /This
debating team should win because its members are all hand-picked./ *
/The political bosses hand-picked a man for mayor who would agree with
them./
[hands-down] {adj.}, {informal} 1. Easy. * /The Rangers won a
hands-down victory in the tournament./ 2. Unopposed; first; clear. *
/Johnny was the hands-down favorite for president of the class./
[hands down] {adv.}, {informal} 1. Without working hard; easily. *
/The Rangers won the game hands down./ 2. Without question or doubt;
without any opposition; plainly. * /Johnny was bands down the best
player on the team./
[hands off] {informal} Keep your hands off or do not interfere;
leave that alone. - Used as a command. * /I was going to touch the
machine, but the man cried, "Hands off!" and I let it alone./
[hands-off] {adj.}, {informal} Leaving alone, not interfering;
inactive. * /The United States told the European governments to follow
a hands-off policy toward Latin America./ * /I did not approve of his
actions, but I have a hands-off rule in personal matters, so I said
nothing./
[handsome is as handsome does] {informal} A person must act well
and generously so that he will be truly worth respecting. - A proverb.
* /Everyone thinks that Bon is a very handsome boy, but he is very
mean too. Handsome is as handsome does./ Compare: FINE FEATHERS DO NOT
MAKE PINE BIRDS.
[hands up] {informal} Hold up your hands! Put your hands up high
and keep them there! - Used as a command. * /The sheriff pointed his
gun at the outlaws and called out, "Hands up!"/ Syn.: REACH FOR THE
SKY.
[hand something to someone on a silver platter] {v. phr.} To give a
person a reward that has not been earned. * /The lazy student expected
his diploma to be handed to him on a silver platter./
[hand to hand] {adv. phr.} Close together, near enough to hit each
other. * /The two soldiers fought hand to hand until one fell badly
wounded./ * /In modern naval warfare, men seldom fight hand to hand./
Compare: FACE TO FACE.
[hand-to-hand] {adj.} Close to each other; near enough to hit each
other. * /The result of the battle was decided in hand-to-hand
combat./ * /When the police tried to break up the riot, there was
hand-to-hand fighting with fists, stones, and clubs./ Compare:
FACE-TO-FACE.
[hand-to-mouth] {adj.} Not providing for the future; living from
day to day; not saving for later. * /Many native tribes lead a
hand-to-mouth existence, content to have food for one day at a time./
* /John is not a saving boy; he spends his money without thought for
the future, and lives a hand-to-mouth life./ See: LIVE FROM HAND TO
MOUTH.
[handwriting on the wall] {n. phr.} A sign that something bad will
happen. * /When Bill's team lost four games in a row, he saw the
handwriting on the wall./ * /John's employer had less and less work
for him; John could read the handwriting on the wall and looked for
another job./
[hang] See: GO HANG, GIVE A HANG or CARE A HANG, GIVE ONE ENOUGH
ROPE, AND HE WILL HANG HIMSELF, LEAVE HANGING or LEAVE HANGING IN THE
AIR.
[hang around] {v.}, {informal} 1. To pass time or stay near without
any real purpose or aim; loaf near or in. * /The principal warned the
students not to hang around the corner drugstore after school./
Compare: HANG OUT(1). 2. To spend time or associate, * /Jim hangs
around with some boys who live in his neighborhood./
[hang back] or [hang off] or [hang behind] 1. To stay some distance
behind or away, be unwilling to move forward. * /Mary offered the
little girl candy, but she was shy and hung back./ 2. To hesitate or
be unwilling to do something. * /Lou wanted Fred to join the club, but
Fred hung off./
[hang behind] See: HANG BACK(1).
[hang by a hair] See: HANG BY A THREAD.
[hang by a thread] or [hang by a hair] {v. phr.} To depend on a
very small thing; be in doubt. * /For three days Tom was so sick that
his life hung by a thread./ * /As Joe got ready to kick a field goal,
the result of the game hung by a hair./ Compare: HANG IN THE BALANCE.
[hanger] See: CREPE HANGER.
[hang fire] {v. phr.} 1. To fail or be slow in shooting or firing.
* /Smith pulled the trigger, but the gun hung fire and the deer
escaped./ 2. To be slow in beginning; to be delayed; to wait. * /The
boys' plans for organizing a scout troop hung fire because they could
not find a man to be scoutmaster./
[hang heavy] or [hang heavy on one's hands] {v. phr.} To pass
slowly or uninterestingly; be boring with little to do. * /The
vacation time hung heavy on Dick's hands because all his friends were
away at camp./ Compare: ON ONE'S HANDS.
[hang in effigy] or [burn in effigy] {v. phr.} To hang or burn a
figure, usually a stuffed dummy, representing a person who is disliked
or scorned. * /When the high school team lost the championship game,
the coach was hung in effigy by the townspeople./ * /During World War
II, Hitler was sometimes burned in effigy in the United States./
[hang in the balance] {v. phr.} To have two equally possible
results; to be in doubt; be uncertain. * /Until Jim scored the winning
touchdown, the outcome of the game hung in the balance./ * /She was
very sick and her life hung in the balance for several days./ Compare:
HANG BY A THREAD.
[hang in (there)] {v. phr.}, {slang}, {informal} To persevere; not
to give up; to stick to a project and not lose faith or courage. *
/Hang in there old buddy; the worst is yet to come./
[hang it] {interj.}, {informal} An exclamation used to express
annoyance or disappointment. * /Oh, hang it! I forgot to bring the
book I wanted to show you./ * /Hang it all, why don't you watch where
you're going?/
[hang off] See: HANG BACK.
[hang on] {v.} 1. To hold on to something, usually tightly. * /Jack
almost fell off the cliff, but managed to hang on until help came./
Syn.: HOLD ON(1). 2a. To continue doing something; persist. * /The
grocer was losing money every day, but he hung on, hoping that
business would improve./ Compare: HOLD OUT, STICK OUT. 2b. To hold a
lead in a race or other contest while one's opponents try to rally. *
/The favorite horse opened an early lead and hung on to win as two
other horses almost passed him in the final stretch./ * /Bunning,
staked to a 6-0 lead in the first inning, hung on to heat the Dodgers
6-4./ 3. To continue to give trouble or cause suffering. * /Lou's cold
hung on from January to April./ 4. To continue listening on the
telephone. * /Jerry asked John, who had called him on the phone, to
hung on while he ran for a pencil and a sheet of paper./ Compare: HOLD
ON(3).
[hang one on] {v. phr.}, {slang} 1. To give a heavy blow to; hit
hard. * /The champion hung one on his challenger in the second round
and knocked him out of the ring./ 2. To get very drunk. * /After Smith
lost his job, he went to a bar and hung one on./
[hang one's head] {v. phr.} To bend your head forward in shame. *
/Johnny hung his head when the teacher asked him if he broke the
window./ Compare: HIDE ONE'S HEAD.
[hang on the words of] also [hang on the lips of] {v. phr.} To
listen very attentively to. * /Ann hangs on every word of her history
teacher and takes very careful notes. / * /As he went on with his
speech, his auditors, deeply interested, hung on his lips./
[hang on to] {v.} To hold tightly; keep firmly. * /The child hung
on to its mother's apron, and would not let go./ * /John did not like
his job, but decided to hang on to it until he found a better one./
[hang on to one's mother's apron strings] See: TIED TO ONE'S
MOTHER'S APRON STRINGS.
[hang on to your hat] or [hold on to your hat] or [hold your hat]
{v. phr.}, {informal} 1. Watch out; be prepared. - Used as a command,
usually to warn of an unexpected action. * /"Hold on to your hat,"
said Jim as he stepped on the gas and the car shot forward./ 2. Get
ready for a surprise. - Used as a command, usually to warn of
unexpected news. * /"Hold on to your hat," said Mary. "Jim asked me to
marry him."/
[hang out] {v.} 1. {slang} To spend your time idly or lounging
about. * /The teacher complained that Joe was hanging out in poolrooms
instead of doing his homework./ Compare: HANG AROUND(1). 2. {slang} To
live; reside. * /Two policemen stopped the stranger and asked him
where he hung out./ 3. To reach out farther than the part below. *
/The branches of the trees hung out over the road./ * /The upper floor
of that house hangs out above the first./
[hang out one's shingle] {v. phr.}, {informal} To give public
notice of the opening of an office, especially a doctor's or lawyer's
office, by putting up a small signboard. * /The young doctor hung out
his shingle and soon had a large practice./
[hangover] {n.} A bad feeling of nausea and/or headache the day
after one has had too much to drink. * /Boy, did I have a hangover
after that party yesterday!/
[hang over] {v.} 1. To be going to happen to; threaten. * /Great
trouble hangs over the little town because its only factory has closed
down./ 2. To remain to be finished or settled. * /The committee took
up the business that hung over from its last meeting./
[hang over one's head] {v. phr.} To be a danger or threat to you. -
An overused phrase. * /Over Jimmy's head hung the teacher's suspicion
that Jimmy had cheated in the final examination./ * /Death hangs over
a bullfighter's head every time he performs./
[hang round] See: HANG AROUND.
[hang ten] {v.}, {slang} 1. To be an outstanding performer on a
surfboard or on a skateboard (referring to the user's ten toes). * /I
bet I am going to be able to hang ten if you let me practice on your
skateboard./ 2. To be a survivor despite great odds. * /Don't worry
about Jack, he can hang ten anywhere!/
[hang together] {v.} 1. To stay united; help and defend one
another. * /The club members always hung together when one of them was
in trouble./ Syn.: STICK TOGETHER. Compare: STAND BY, STAND UP FOR. 2.
{informal} To form a satisfactory whole; fit together. * /Jack's story
of why he was absent from school seems to hang together./
[hang up] {v.} 1. To place on a hook, peg, or hanger. * /When the
children come to school, they hang up their coats in the cloakroom./
2a. To place a telephone receiver back on its hook and break the
connection. * /Carol's mother told her she had talked long enough on
the phone and made her hang up./ 2b. To put a phone receiver back on
its hook while the other person is still talking. - Used with "on". *
/I said something that made Joe angry, and he hung up on me./ 3a.
{informal} To cause to be stuck or held so as to be immovable. -
Usually used in the passive. * /Ann's car was hung up in a snowdrift
and she had to call a garageman to get it out./ 3b. {informal} To
stick or get held so as to be immovable. * /A big passenger ship hung
up on a sandbar for several hours./ 4. {informal} To cause a wait;
delay. * /Rehearsals for the school play were hung up by the illness
of some of the actors./ 5. {informal} To set (a record.) * /Bob hung
up a school record for long distance swimming./
[hang-up] {n.}, {informal} (stress on "hang") 1. A delay in some
process. * /The mail has been late for several days; there must be
some hang-up with the trucks somewhere./ 2. A neurotic reaction to
some life situation probably stemming from a traumatic shock which has
gone unconscious. * /Doctor Simpson believes that Suzie's frigidity is
due to some hang-up about men./
[happen on] or [happen upon] {v.}, {literary} To meet or find
accidentally or by chance. * /The Girl Scouts happened on a charming
little brook not far from the camp./ * /At the convention I happened
upon an old friend I had not seen for years./ Syn.: CHANCE ON, COME
ACROSS(1),(3). Compare: HIT ON.
[happy] See: STRIKE A HAPPY MEDIUM, TRIGGER HAPPY at QUICK ON THE
TRIGGER.
[happy as the day is long] {adj. phr.} Cheerful and happy. * /Carl
is happy as the day is long because school is over for the summer./
[happy-go-lucky] See: FOOTLOOSE AND FANCY-FREE.
[happy hour] {n.}, {informal} A time in bars or restaurants when
cocktails are served at a reduced rate, usually one hour before they
start serving dinner. * /Happy hour is between 6 and 7 P.M. at
Celestial Gardens./
[happy hunting ground] {n. phr.} 1. The place where, in American
Indian belief, a person goes after death; heaven. * /The Indians
believed that at death they went to the happy hunting ground./ 2.
{informal} A place or area where you can find a rich variety of what
you want, and plenty of it. * /The forest is a happy hunting ground
for scouts who are interested in plants and flowers./ * /Shell
collectors find the ocean beaches happy hunting grounds./
[hard] See: GIVE A HARD TIME, GO HARD WITH, SCHOOL OF HARD KNOCKS.
[hard-and-fast] {adj.} Not to be broken or changed; fixed; strict.
* /The teacher said that there was a hard-and-fast rule against
smoking in the school./
[hard as nails] {adj. phr.}, {informal} 1. Not flabby or soft;
physically very fit; tough and strong. * /After a summer of work in
the country, Jack was as hard as nails, without a pound of extra
weight./ 2. Not gentle or mild; rough; stern. * /Johnny works for a
boss who is as hard as nails and scolds Johnny roughly whenever he
does something wrong./
[hard-boiled] {adj.} Unrefined; tough; merciless. * /"Because you
were two minutes late," my hard-boiled boss cried, "I will deduct
fifteen minutes worth from your salary!"/
[hard cash] See: COLD CASH.
[hard feeling] {n.} Angry or bitter feeling; enmity. - Usually used
in the plural. * /Jim asked Andy to shake hands with him, just to show
that there were no hard feelings./ * /Bob and George once quarreled
over a girl, and there are still hard feelings between them./
[hard-fisted] {adj.} 1. Able to do hard physical labor; strong. *
/Jack's uncle was a hard-fisted truck driver with muscles of steel./
2. Not gentle or easy-going; tough; stern. * /The new teacher was a
hard-fisted woman who would allow no nonsense./ 3. Stingy or mean; not
generous with money. * /The hard-fisted banker refused to lend Mr.
Jones more money for his business./
[hard going] {adj. phr.} Fraught with difficulty. * /Dave finds his
studies of math hard going./
[hardheaded] {adj.} Stubborn; shrewd; practical. * /Don is a
hardheaded businessman who made lots of money, even during the
recession./
[hardhearted] {adj.} Unsympathetic; merciless. * /Jack is so
hardhearted that even his own children expect nothing from him./
[hard-hitting] {adj.} Working hard to get things done; strong and
active; stubbornly eager. * /The boys put on a hard-hitting drive to
raise money for uniforms for the football team./ * /He is a
hard-hitting and successful football coach./
[hard line] {n. phr.} Tough political policy. * /Although modern
economists were trying to persuade him to open up to the West, Castro
has always taken the hard line approach./
[hard-liner] {n.} A politician who takes the hard line. See: HARD
LINE.
[hard luck] See: TOUGH LUCK.
[hardly any] or [scarcely any] Almost no or almost none; very few.
* /Hardly any of the students did well on the test, so the teacher
explained the lesson again./ * /Charles and his friends each had three
cookies, and when they went out, hardly any cookies were left./
[hardly ever] or [scarcely ever] {adv. phr.} Very rarely; almost
never; seldom. * /It hardly ever snows in Florida./ * /Johnny hardly
ever reads a book./
[hard-nosed] {adj.}, {slang} Tough or rugged; very strict; not weak
or soft; stubborn, especially in a fight or contest. * /Joe's father
was a hard-nosed army officer who had seen service in two wars./ *
/Pete is a good boy; he plays hard-nosed football./ Compare:
HARD-BOILED.
[hard nut to crack] also [tough nut to crack] {n. phr.}, {informal}
Something difficult to understand or to do. * /Tom's algebra lesson
was a hard nut to crack./ * /Mary found knitting a hard nut to crack./
Compare: HARD ROW TO HOE.
[hard of hearing] {adj.} Partially deaf. * /Some people who are
hard of hearing wear hearing aids./
[hard-on] {n.}, {vulgar}, {avoidable}. An erection of the male
sexual organ.
[hard put] or [hard put to it] {adj.} In a difficult position;
faced with difficulty; barely able. * /John was hard put to find a
good excuse for his lateness in coming to school./ * /The scouts found
themselves hard put to it to find the way home./
[hard row to hoe] or [tough row to hoe] {n. phr.} A hard life to
live; a very hard job to do. * /She has a hard row to hoe with six
children and her husband dead./ * /Young people without enough
education will have a tough row to hoe when they have to support
themselves./ Syn.: HARD SLEDDING. Compare: DOWN ON ONE'S LUCK, HARD
NUT TO CRACK.
[hard sell] {n.}, {informal} A kind of salesmanship characterized
by great vigor, aggressive persuasion, and great eagerness on the part
of the person selling something; opposed to "soft sell". * /Your hard
sell turns off a lot of people; try the soft sell for a change, won't
you?/
[hard sledding] or [rough sledding] or [tough sledding] {n.},
{informal} Difficulty in succeeding or making progress. * /Jane had
hard sledding in her math course because she was poorly prepared./ *
/When Mr. Smith started his new business, he had tough sledding for a
while but things got better./
[hard-top] {n.} 1. A car that has a metal roof; a car that is not a
convertible. * /Every spring Mr. Jones sells his hard-top and buys a
convertible./ 2. or [hardtop convertible] A car with windows that can
be completely lowered with no partitions left standing, and with a top
that may or may not be lowered. * /Mr. Brown's new car is a hardtop
convertible./
[hard up] {adj.}, {informal} Without enough money or some other
needed thing. * /Dick was hard up and asked Lou to lend him a dollar./
* /The campers were hard up for water because their well had run dry./
Compare: UP AGAINST IT.
[hard way] {n.} The harder or more punishing of two or more ways to
solve a problem, do something, or learn something. - Used with "the".
* /The mayor refused the help of the crooks and won the election the
hard way by going out to meet the people./ * /The challenger found out
the hard way that the champion's left hand had to be avoided./
[hare] See: MAD AS A HATTER or MAD AS A MARCH HARE, RUN WITH THE
HARE AND HUNT (RIDE) WITH THE HOUNDS.
[harebrained] {adj.} Thoughtless; foolish. * /Most of the
harebrained things Ed does may be attributable to his youth and lack
of experience./
[hark back] {v.}, {literary} 1. To recall or turn back to an
earlier time or happening. * /Judy is always harking back to the good
times she had at camp./ 2. To go back to something as a beginning or
origin. * /The cars of today hark back to the first automobiles made
about 1900./ * /The slit in the back of a man's coal harks back to the
days when men rode horseback./
[harp away at] or [on] {v.} To mention again and again. * /In his
campaign speeches, Jones harps on his rival's wealth and powerful
friends./
[Harry] See: TOM, DICK, AND HARRY.
[harum-scarum(1)] {adv.}, {informal} In a careless, disorderly or
reckless way. * /Jim does his homework harum-scarum, and that is why
his schoolwork is so poor./
[harum-scarum(2)] {adj.}, {informal} Careless, wild, or disorderly
in one's acts or performance; reckless. * /Jack is such a harum-scarum
boy that you can never depend on him to do anything right./
[hash] See: SETTLE ONE'S HASH, SLING HASH.
[hash house] {n.}, {slang} An eating place where cheap meals are
served. * /Joe and his friends went to a hash house around the corner
after the game./
[hash out] {v.}, {informal} To talk all about and try to agree on;
discuss thoroughly. * /The teacher asked Susan and Jane to sit down
together and hash out their differences./ * /The students hashed out
the matter and decided to drop it./
[hash up] {v.}, {slang} 1. To make a mess of; do badly. * /Bob
really hashed up that exam and failed the course./ 2. To bring to
life; remember and talk about. * /The teacher advised Sue not to hash
up old bitterness against her schoolmates./
[haste] See: MAKE HASTE.
[hat] See: AT THE DROP OF A HAT, BRASS HAT, HANG ON TO YOUR HAT or
HOLD ON TO YOUR HAT or HOLD YOUR HAT, HIGH-HAT, KEEP UNDER ONE'S HAT,
OLD HAT, PULL OUT OF A HAT, TAKE OFF ONE'S HAT TO, TALK THROUGH ONE'S
HAT, TEN-GALLON HAT, THROW ONE'S HAT IN THE RING.
[hat in hand] {adv. phr.}, {informal} In a humble and respectful
manner. * /They went hat in hand to the old woman to ask for her
secret recipe./
[hatch] See: COUNT ONE'S CHICKENS BEFORE THEY ARE HATCHED.
[hatchet] See: BURY THE HATCHET.
[hatchet face] {n.} A long narrow face with sharp parts; also, a
person with such a face. * /Johnny was sent to the principal's office
because he called his teacher old hatchet face./ * /He was
hatchet-faced and not at all handsome./
[hatchet job] {n. phr.}, {slang} 1. The act of saying or writing
terrible things about someone or something, usually on behalf of one's
boss or organization. * /When Phil makes speeches against the
competition exaggerating their weaknesses, he is doing the hatchet job
on behalf of our president./ 2. A ruthless, wholesale job of editing a
script whereby entire paragraphs or pages are omitted. * /Don, my
editor, did a hatchet job on my new novel./
[hatchet man] {n.}, {colloquial} 1. A politician or newspaper
columnist whose job is to write and say unfavorable things about the
opposition. * /Bill Lerner is the hatchet man for the Mayor's Party;
he smears all the other candidates regularly./ 2. An executive officer
in a firm whose job it is to fire superfluous personnel, cut back on
the budget, etc., in short, to do the necessary but unpleasant things.
* /The firm hired Cranhart to be hatchet man; his title is that of
Executive Vice President./
[hate one's guts] {v. phr.}, {slang} To feel a very strong dislike
for someone. * /Dick said that he hated Fred's guts because Fred had
been very mean to him./
[hats off to] or [one's hat is off to] {truncated phr.}, {informal}
Used to recognize and praise a job well-done. * /Hats off to anyone
who runs the twenty-six mile race./ * /My hat is off to the chef who
created this delicious meal./ Compare: TAKE OFF ONE'S HAT TO.
[hatter] See: MAD AS A HATTER.
[haul] See: LONG HAUL.
[haul down] {v.}, {informal} 1. To catch (as a ball) usually after
a long run. * /Willie hauled down a long fly to center field for the
third out./ * /The star halfback hauled down the pass for a
touchdown./ 2. To tackle in football. * /Ted was hauled down from
behind when he tried to run with the ball./
[haul down one's colors] or [strike one's colors] {v. phr.} 1. To
pull down a flag, showing you are beaten and want to stop fighting. *
/After a long battle, the pirate captain hauled down his colors./ 2.
To admit you are beaten; say you want to quit. * /After losing two
sets of tennis, Tom hauled down his color./
[haul in] or [haul up] or [pull in] {v.}, {slang} To bring before
someone in charge for punishment or questioning; arrest. * /John was
hauled in to court for speeding./ * /The tramp was hauled up for
sleeping on the sidewalk./ Compare: CALL ON THE CARPET.
[haul in one's horns] See: PULL IN ONE'S HORNS.
[haul off] {v.} To move suddenly. - Used with "and" usually before
a verb like "hit" or "kick". * /Ed hauled off and hit the other boy in
the nose./ * /Lee hauled off and threw a touchdown pass./
[haul over the coals] or [rake over the coals] {v. phr.} To
criticize sharply; rebuke; scold. * /The sergeant raked the soldier
over the coals for being late for roll call./ Syn.: DRESS DOWN.
[have] See: CAT HAS NINE LIVES, ONE'S CAKE AND HAVE IT TOO, EVERY
CLOUD HAS A SILVER LINING, EVERY DOG HAS HIS DAY, HAVE NOTHING ON or
HAVE ANYTHING ON, LITTLE PITCHERS HAVE BIG EARS, or an important word
after this in the sentence.
[have] or [get] or [develop a crush on] {v. phr.} To be infatuated
with someone. * /Walter has a terrible crush on his English teacher,
but she is a lot older and doesn't take it seriously./
[have a ball] {v. phr.}, {slang} Enjoy yourself very much; have a
wonderful time. * /Johnny had a ball at camp./ * /Mary and Tim have a
ball exploring the town./ * /After their parents left, the children
had a ball./ Syn.: HAVE A TIME(2).
[have a bone to pick] See: BONE TO PICK.
[have a care] {v. phr.}, {formal} To be careful what you do. *
/Jane, have a care what you're doing with that valuable glass./ * /The
judge told him to have a care what he said in court./
[have a field day] {v. phr.} To enjoy great success or unlimited
opportunity. * /The visiting basketball team was so weak that our
school had a field day scoring one point after another./
[have a finger in the pie] See: FINGER IN THE PIE.
[have a fit] or [have fits] or [throw a fit] {v. phr.} 1. To have a
sudden illness with stiffness or jerking of the body. * /Our dog had a
fit yesterday./ 2. {informal} To become angry or upset. * /Father will
throw a fit when he sees the dent in the car./ * /Howard will have a
fit when he learns that he lost the election./ * /When John decided to
drop out of college, his parents had fits./
[have a go at] {v. phr.}, {informal} To try, especially after
others have tried. * /Bob asked Dick to let him have a go at shooting
at the target with Dick's rifle./ * /She had a go at archery, but did
not do very well./
[have a good head on one's shoulders] {v. phr.} To be smart;
intelligent; well educated. * /Rob is not the handsomest guy in the
world but the girls appreciate him because he has a good head on his
shoulders./
[have a (good) head for] {v. phr.} To have a special talent in a
certain area. * /Joan has quite a good head for business
administration./
[have a (good) mind to] {v. phr.} To consider doing; intend to with
a high degree of probability. * /I have a good mind to tell my boss
that he doesn't know how to run our enterprise./
[have a hand in] {v. phr.} To have a part in or influence over; to
be partly responsible for. * /Sue's schoolmates respect her and she
has a hand in every important decision made by the Student Council./ *
/Ben had a hand in getting ready the Senior play./ Compare: FINGER IN
THE PIE.
[have a heart] {v. phr.}, {informal} To stop being mean; be kind,
generous, or sympathetic. * /Have a heart, Bob, and lend me two
dollars./ * /Have a heart, Mary, and help me with this lesson./ * /He
didn't know if the teacher would have a heart and pass him./
[have a heart-to-heart talk] {v. phr.} To confide in someone with
great intimacy. * /Jill and her mother had a heart-to-heart talk
before she decided to move in with Andrew./
[have all one's buttons] or [have all one's marbles] {v. phr.},
{slang} To have all your understanding; be reasonable. - Usually used
in the negative or conditionally. * /Mike acts sometimes as if he
didn't have all his buttons./ * /He would not go to town barefooted if
he had all his marbles./
[have a mind of one's own] {v. phr.} To be independent in one's
thinking and judgment. * /Tow has always had a mind of his own so
there is no use trying to convince him how to vote./
[have an affair with] {v. phr.} To have a sexual relationship with
someone, either before marriage or outside of one's marriage. * /Tow
and Jane had a long and complex affair but they never got married./
[have an ear for] {v. phr.} To have a keen perception; have a taste
or a talent for; be sensitive to something. * /I have no ear
whatsoever for foreign languages or music./
[have an ear to the ground] See: EAR TO THE GROUND.
[have an edge on] {v. phr.}, {informal} 1. To have an advantage
over someone or something else in the course of an evaluative
comparison. * /I can't beat you at tennis, but I have an edge on you
in ping-pong./ 2. To be mildly intoxicated; to have had a few drinks.
* /Joe sure had an edge on when I saw him last night./ Compare: EDGE
ON.
[have an eye for] {v. phr.} To be able to judge correctly of; have
good taste in. * /She has an eye for color and style in clothes./ *
/He has an eye for good English usage./
[have an eye on] or [have one's eye on] {v. phr.}, {informal} 1. To
look at or think about (something wanted); have a wish for; have as an
aim. * /I bought ice cream, but Jimmy had his eye on some candy./ *
/John has his eye on a scholarship so he can go to college./ Compare:
IN MIND. 2. See: KEEP AN EYE ON(1).
[have an eye out] See: EYE OUT.
[have an eye] to See: EYE TO.
[have an itch for] or [to do] See: BE ITCHING TO.
[have a nodding acquaintance with] See: NODDING ACQUAINTANCE.
[have a price on one's head] See: PRICE ON ONE'S HEAD.
[have a rough idea about] See: ROUGH IDEA.
[have a say in] or [a voice in] {v. phr.} To have the right to
express one's opinion or cast a vote in a pending matter. * /Our boss
is friendly and democratic; he always encourages us to have a say in
what we will do next./
[have a screw loose] {v. phr,}, {slang} To act in a strange way; to
be foolish. * /Now I know he has a screw loose - he stole a police car
this time./ * /He was a smart man but had a screw loose and people
thought him odd./
[have a snowball's chance in hell] {v. phr.} To be condemned to
failure; enjoy a zero chance of success. * /Pessimists used to think
that we had a snowball's chance in hell to put a man on the moon; yet
we did it in July, 1969./
[have a soft spot in one's heart for] {v. phr.} To be
sympathetically inclined towards; entertain a predilection for. * /Ron
always had a soft spot in his heart for intellectual women wearing
miniskirts./
[have a sweet tooth] {v. phr.} To be excessively fond of dessert
items, such as ice cream, pies, etc. * /Jill has a sweet tooth; she
always orders apple pie after a meal in a restaurant./
[have a time] {v. phr.}, {informal} 1. To have trouble; have a hard
time. * /Poor Susan had a time trying to get the children to go to
bed./ * /John had a time passing his math course./ 2. To have a good
time; to have fun. - Used with a reflexive pronoun. * /Bob had himself
a time going to every night club in town./ * /Mary had herself a time
dancing at the party./ Syn.: HAVE A BALL.
[have a way with] {v. phr.} To be able to lead, persuade, or
influence. * /Dave has such a way with the campers that they do
everything he tells them to do./ * /Ted will be a good veterinarian,
because he has a way with animals./
[have a word with] {v. phr.} 1. To talk, discuss, or speak briefly
with. * /Robert, I need to have a word with you about tomorrow's
exam./ 2. To engage in a sincere discussion with the purpose of
persuading the other person or let him or her know of one's
dissatisfaction. * /Our boss has been making funny decisions lately; I
think we ought to have a word with him./
[have been around] {v. phr.}, {informal} Have been to many places
and done many things; know people; have experience and be able to take
care of yourself. * /Uncle Willie is an old sailor and has really been
around./ * /Betty likes to go out with Jerry, because he has been
around./ * /It's not easy to fool him; he's been around./ Compare: GET
AROUND, KNOW ONE'S WAY AROUND.
[have dibs on] or [put dibs on] {v. phr.}, {slang} To demand a
share of something or to be in line for the use of an object usable by
more than one person. * /Don't throw your magazine away! I put (my)
dibs on it, remember?/
[have done] {v.}, {formal} To stop; finish. * /When the teacher had
done, she asked for questions from the class./ * /If you have done, I
will explain the matter./
[have done with] {v.} To stop doing or using something. * /When you
have done with that paintbrush, Barbara, I would like to use it. * /I
wish you would have done with your criticisms./
[have eyes only for] {v. phr.} To see or want nothing else but;
give all your attention to; be interested only in. * /Of all the
horses in the show, John had eyes only for the big white one./ * /All
the girls liked Fred, but he had eyes only for Helen./
[have fits] See: HAVE A FIT.
[have got to] {v. phr.} Must; be in great need to do something; be
obliged to. * /I am sorry but we have got to leave, otherwise, we'll
miss the last train./
[have had it] {v. phr.}, {slang} To have experienced or suffered
all you can; to have come to the end of your patience or life. *
/"I've had it," said Lou, "I'm resigning from the job of chairman
right now."/ * /When the doctor examined the man who had been shot, he
said, "He's had it."/
[have hair] {v. phr.}, {slang} To possess courage, fortitude, guts,
sex-appeal. * /I like him, he's got a lot of hair./
[have] or [hold the whip over] {v. phr.} To control; dominate. *
/Eugene has always held the whip over his younger brothers and
sisters./
[have in mind] {v. phr.} To plan; intend; select. * /We don't know
whom our boss has in mind for the new position./
[have in one's hair] See: IN ONE'S HAIR.
[have in the palm of one's hand] {v. phr.} To completely control;
have a project finished, all wrapped up. * /Our boss felt that if he
could calm his critics he would soon have the entire factory in the
palm of his hand./
[have it] {v. phr.} 1. To hear or get news; understand. * /I have
it on the best authority that we will be paid for our work next week./
2. To do something in a certain way. * /Make up your mind, because you
can't have it both ways. You must either stay home or come with us./ *
/Bobby must have it his way and play the game by his rules./ 3. To
claim; say. * /Rumor has it that the school burned down./ * /Gossip
has it that Mary is getting married./ * /The man is very smart the way
his family has it, but I think he's silly./ 4. To allow it. - Usually
used with "will" or "would" in negative sentences. * /Mary wanted to
give the party at her house, but her mother wouldn't have it./ Syn.:
HEAR OF, STAND FOR. 5. To win. * /When the senators vote, the ayes
will have it./ 6. To get or find the answer; think of how to do
something. * /"I have it!" said John to Mary. "We can buy Mother a
nice comb for her birthday."/ 7. {informal} To have an (easy, good,
rough, soft) time; have (certain kinds of) things happen to you; be
treated in a (certain) way by luck or life. * /Everyone liked Joe and
he had it good until he got sick./ * /Mary has it easy; she doesn't
have to work./ 8. See: AS LUCK WOULD HAVE IT.
[have it all over] See: HAVE IT OVER.
[have it coming] {v. phr.} To deserve the good or bad things that
happen to you. * /I feel sorry about Jack's failing that course, but
he had it coming to him./ * /Everybody said that Eve had it coming
when she won the scholarship./ Compare: ASK FOR, GET WHAT'S COMING TO
ONE, SERVE RIGHT.
[have it in for] {v. phr.}, {informal} To wish or mean to harm;
have a bitter feeling against. * /George has it in for Bob because Bob
told the teacher that George cheated in the examination./ * /After
John beat Ted in a fight, Ted always had it in for John./
[have it made] {v. phr.}, {slang} To be sure of success; have
everything you need. * /With her fine grades Alice has it made and can
enter any college in the country./ * /The other seniors think Joe has
it made because his father owns a big factory./
[have it out] {v. phr.} To settle a difference by a free discussion
or by a fight. * /Joe called Bob a bad name, so they went back of the
school and had it out. Joe got a bloody nose and Bob got a black eye./
* /The former friends finally decided to have it out in a free
argument and they became friends again./
[have it over] or [have it all over] {v. phr.} To be better than;
be superior to. * /Anne has it all over Jane in looks and charm./ * /A
professional golfer usually has it all over an amateur./ * /A jeep has
it over a regular car on rough mountain trails./ Compare: BEAT ALL
HOLLOW.
[have kittens] {v. phr.}, {slang} To become very much worried or
upset. * /Mrs. Jones was having kittens because if was very late and
Susan wasn't home yet./ Compare: HAVE A FIT.
[have lots (everything) going for one] {v. phr.} To have abilities
or qualities that help in achieving one's goal; assets working in
one's favor. * /The young woman will surely get the job; she has
everything going for her./
[have money to burn] See: MONEY TO BURN.
[have no business] {v. phr.} To have no right or reason. * /Jack
had no business saying those nasty things about Dick./ * /Vern's
mother told him he had no business going swimming that day./
[have none of] {v. phr.} To refuse to approve or allow. * /The
teacher said she would have none of Mike's arguing./ * /When the
fullback refused to obey the captain, the captain said he would have
none of that./
[have nothing on] or [not have anything on] {v. phr.} Not to be any
better than; to have no advantage over. * /Susan is a wonderful
athlete, but when it comes to dancing she has nothing on Mary./ *
/Even though he is older, John has nothing on Peter in school./ *
/Although the Smiths have a Rolls Royce, they have nothing on the
Jones' who have a Cadillac and a Jaguar./ 2. To have no information or
proof that someone broke the law. * /Mr. James was not worried when he
was arrested because he was sure they had nothing on him./ * /Mr.
Brown was an honest politician and they had nothing on him./
[have nothing to do with] {v. phr.} To not be involved with; not
care about. * /Our firm has nothing to do with oil from the Near East;
we are interested in solar energy./
[have no use for] See: NO USE.
[have on] {v.} 1. To be dressed in; wear. * /Mary had on her new
dress./ 2. To have (something) planned; have an appointment; plan to
do. * /Harry has a big weekend on./ * /I'm sorry I can't attend your
party, but I have a meeting on for that night./ 3. See: HAVE NOTHING
ON, HAVE SOMETHING ON.
[have one's ass in a sling] {v. phr.}, {slang}, {vulgar},
{avoidable} To be in an uncomfortable predicament; to be in the
dog-house; to be at a disadvantage. * /Al sure had his ass in a sling
when the boss found out about his juggling the account./
[have one's cake and eat it too] {v. phr.} To enjoy two opposite
advantages. * /You can either spend your money going to Europe or save
it for a down payment on a house, but you can't do both. That would be
having your cake and eating it, too./
[have one's ear] {v. phr.} To have access to someone in power;
receive audiences rather frequently. * /The national security advisor
has the president's ear./
[have one's ears on] {v. phr.}, {slang}, {citizen's band radio
jargon} To have one's CB radio in receiving condition. * /Good buddy
in the eighteen wheeler southbound, got your ears on?/
[have oneself] {v. phr.}, {nonstandard} To enjoy. - Sometimes used
in very informal speech to provide emphasis. * /As soon as their
parents left, the boys had themselves some fun./ * /After working hard
all day, John had himself a good night's sleep./
[have one's feet planted firmly in the ground] See: FEET ON THE
GROUND.
[have one's fill] {v. phr.} To be satisfied; be surfeited; be
overindulged. * /Howard says he's had his fill of expensive golf
tournaments in Europe./
[have one's fling] {v. phr.} To have one or more romantic and/or
sexual experiences, usually before marriage. * /Jack has had his fling
and now seems to be ready to get married and settle down./
[have one's hand in the till] See: ROB THE TILL.
[have one's hands full] {v. phr.} To have as much work as you can
do; be very busy. * /The plumber said that he had his hands full and
could not take another job for two weeks./ * /With three small
children to take care of, Susie's mother has her hands full./
[have one's hands tied] See: TIED ONE'S HANDS.
[have one's head in the sand] See: HIDE ONE'S HEAD IN THE SAND.
[have one's head screwed on backwards] {v. phr.} To lack common
sense; behave in strange and irrational ways. * /Henry seems to have
his head screwed on backwards; he thinks the best time to get a suntan
is when it is raining and to sleep with his shoes on./
[have one's heart in the right place] See: HEART IS IN THE RIGHT
PLACE.
[have one's hide] {v. phr.}, {informal} To punish severely. *
/John's mother said she would have his hide if he was late to school
again./
[have one's nose to the grindstone] See: KEEP ONE'S NOSE TO THE
GRINDSTONE.
[have one's number] See: GET ONE'S NUMBER.
[have one's wings clipped] See: CLIP ONE'S WING.
[have one's wits about one] {v. phr.} To be alert; remain calm; not
panic. * /Sam was the only one who kept his wits about him when the
floodwaters of the Mississippi broke into our yard./
[have one's work cut out] See: CUT OUT(1).
[have on the ball] See: ON THE BALL.
[have qualms about] {v. phr.} To feel uneasy about; hesitate about
something. * /Mike had no qualms in telling Sue that he was no longer
in love with her./
[have rocks in one's head] {v. phr.}, {informal} To be stupid; not
have good judgment. * /When Mr. James quit his good job with the coal
company to begin teaching school, some people thought he had rocks in
his head./
[have second thoughts about] See: SECOND THOUGHT(s).
[have seen better days] See: SEE BETTER DAYS.
[have someone by the balls] {v. phr.}, {slang}, {vulgar},
{avoidable} To have someone at a disadvantage or in one's power. *
/The kidnappers had the company by the balls for six long weeks./
[have something going for one] {v. phr.}, {slang}, {informal} To
have ability, talent; good looks, and/or influence in important places
helping one to be successful. * /Well now, Pat Jones, that's another
story - she's got something going for her./
[have something on] {v. phr.}, {informal} To have information or
proof that someone did something wrong. * /Mr. Jones didn't want to
run for office because he knew the opponents had something on him./ *
/Mr. Smith keeps paying blackmail to a man who has something on him./
* /Although Miss Brown is not a good worker, her boss does not fire
her because she has something on him./ Compare: GET THE GOODS ON.
Contrast: HAVE NOTHING ON.
[have something on the ball] {v. phr.}, {slang}, {colloquial} To be
smart, clever; to be skilled and have the necessary know-how. * /You
can trust Syd; he's got a lot on the ball OR he's got something on the
ball./
[have sticky fingers] See: STICKY FINGERS.
[have or take a shot at] See: HAVE GO AT.
[have the best of] or [have the better of] See: GET THE BETTER
OF(2).
[have the better of] or [have the best of] See: GET THE BETTER OF.
[have the cart before the horse] See: CART BEFORE THE HORSE.
[have the constitution of an ox] {v. phr.} To be able to work
extremely hard and to have the stamina to overcome misfortune. *
/Stan, who has lost both of his parents within one year and is
constantly working late, seems to be indestructible, as if he had the
constitution of an ox./
[have the courage of one's convictions] {v. phr.} To be brave
enough to act according to your beliefs. * /Steve showed that he had
the courage of his convictions by refusing to help another student
cheat in the exam./ * /Owen knew that Pete had started the fight, but