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.

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Example Sentences

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

Early SigAlerts had rather a small-town feel, like a town crier.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 11, 2024

As Ralph Waldo Emerson put it in 1860: “Men had rather be deceived than not; witness the secure road to riches of Barnum and the quacks.”

From Salon • Dec. 19, 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

Amy felt that there was something behind this, but could not guess what, and said quietly, feeling hurt, and showing that she did, “Perhaps you had rather I took no table at all?”

From "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott