have it

Idioms  

1. Receive or learn something, as in I have it on the best authority that he's running again . [Late 1600s]

2. Possess a solution, understand, as in Is this the new phone number? Do I have it straight? or I think I have it now . [Mid-1800s]

3. Take it, as in There's some ice cream left; go ahead and have it . This usage is always put as an imperative. [Second half of 1300s]

4. Have the victory, win, as in We've counted the votes and the nays have it . The related expressions have it over someone or have it all over someone mean “to be superior to someone.” For example, Jane has it all over Mary when it comes to reading aloud . [Early 1900s]

5. let someone have it . Give a beating, scolding, or punishment. For example, When she gets home Dad will let her have it . [Mid-1800s]

6. have it off . Have sexual intercourse, as in The two dogs were having it off in the backyard . [ Colloquial ; early 1900s] Also see the subsequent idioms beginning with have it ; not have it .

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Example Sentences

The committee should debate, wrestle, have it out, all that.

From Slate • May 26, 2026

Now Gordon rushed to have it “unpublished,” promising any sales from the remaining stock would go to charity.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 24, 2026

A spokesman for Reform UK said that Farage had instructed lawyers to apply to the court to have the judgment set aside - the formal process of seeking to have it torn up.

From BBC • May 22, 2026

“Anthropic is doing a $30 billion tender offer at a $900 billion valuation External link, and they say, ‘You’ve got to have it signed by Wednesday and funded by Friday, or you’re out.’

From Barron's • May 21, 2026

Even though I knew this wasn’t Miss Buckner’s decision, I couldn’t suppress the impulse to have it out with her.

From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu