had rather

Idioms  

1. Also, had sooner. Would prefer. For example, I had rather you let me do the driving, or He'd sooner switch than fight. This idiom today is often replaced by would rather. [Late 1500s] Also see just as soon.

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

had rather

In the order, the court however said that despite Mr Goldstein's claims, the mum and the children had "rather inexplicably" been "found in an isolated cave".

From BBC ● Sep. 30, 2025

George Washington once reflected on this distinction, saying, "I had rather be on my farm than be emperor of the world."

From Salon ● Mar. 31, 2023

By the time he was fully committed to his career, “I had rather lost interest, as far as pursuing a Ph.D. or teaching or going into the corporate world,” he said.

From New York Times ● Jul. 7, 2022

The other first-rounders all had rather pedestrian debuts, too.

From Seattle Times ● Sep. 16, 2020

Truth be told, he had rather enjoyed his brief moment of speaking on the professional stage.

From "The Hidden Gallery" by Maryrose Wood