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

See Examples For:

have it

"Certain people just have it," she says of Jean.

From BBC ● Sep. 6, 2026

We’ve also been told we can have it all: carefully developed careers, balanced retirement accounts, a thriving social life in which plans actually make it out of the group chat—and, oh, by the way, fertility.

From Slate ● Aug. 29, 2026

“It’s fast to set it up and we have it at the cabin,” said Jamie Daroff, whose family owns one of the homes that sit on federal land.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 27, 2026

The bonus is that they can use some of the money they earned, but have it invested for the future as well if you’re willing to make a match.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 21, 2026

“This stays untouched in the fridge until I can be here. Maybe we’ll have it for breakfast.”

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith