be had
Idioms-
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]
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Be bribed or influenced by dishonest means. For example, Our senator's incorruptible; he cannot be had . [ Slang ; early 1800s]
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Reading “The Wilder Way” might not overhaul your life, but it will surely help you see how easily a fuller one can be had.
From Salon ● Jul. 17, 2026
Baroness Casey said "challenging" conversations need to be had to determine how social care should function in a country with an aging population.
From BBC ● Jul. 7, 2026
For children aged 3 to 9, either one-day, one-park tickets or one-day Park Hopper passes can be had for $50.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 6, 2026
For August, some rooms at the Brass Lantern Inn can still be had for around $400 a night, a relative steal.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 20, 2026
No reliance can be placed on receiving advance warning which might allow treatment to be had in time.
From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
