be had

Idioms  

1. Be outwitted; also, be cheated, deceived. For example, This lawyer is a real shyster; you've been had , or I've become very cautious about these schemes; it's too costly to be had more than once . This expression employs the verb to have in the sense of getting someone in one's power or at a disadvantage. [ Slang ; early 1800s]

2. Be bribed or influenced by dishonest means. For example, Our senator's incorruptible; he cannot be had . [ Slang ; early 1800s]

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

be had

If there was only one takeaway to be had from this weekend’s punk rock mini-festival at the Belasco, Fight To Unite, it was that the scene’s strong community is absolutely still alive and well.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 12, 2026

"I wasn't shutting down discussion because there was no discussion available to be had," she said.

From BBC ● Sep. 19, 2026

“At the end of the day there’s still value to be had, it just requires a lot more time and attention.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 31, 2026

For Curry, who died Tuesday at 80 in Los Angeles, there were too many characters to play, and too much fun to be had, for him to spend much time looking back.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 26, 2026

There were bulbs, tubers, and greens to be had.

From "My Side of the Mountain" by Jean Craighead George

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