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have a word with

Idioms  
  1. Speak with, discuss with, as in Jerry asked to have a word with you, or I must have a word with Bill about the repairs. This expression, from the late 1400s, was at one time used interchangeably with have words with, but it no longer is.


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.

See Examples For:

I'm like, "The seahorses would like to have a word with you about that."

From National Geographic ● Feb. 16, 2024

Nicki Minaj needs to have a word with her fans who have ruthlessly defended her online for years: Chill.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 7, 2023

If you think chamber music only means musicians playing centuries-old polite melodies on a harpsichord, violinist Kristin Lee would like to have a word with you.

From Seattle Times ● Oct. 17, 2023

He told the boy: "If you have got something to say to me have a chat with your captain and he can come and have a word with me."

From BBC ● May 13, 2023

I thought he was going to march right up to the podium and have a word with the rector.

From "In the Time of the Butterflies" by Julia Alvarez

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