have it out

Idioms

Settle decisively, especially in an argument or discussion. For example, “I shall double-lock myself in with him and have it out before I die” (Charles Dickens, Nicholas Nickleby, 1839). [Early 1800s]

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.

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

From Slate • May 26, 2026

“I should have it out of there by lunch,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 7, 2026

“Bottle it up and have it out here every day this week and find a way to just not have that feeling.”

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 16, 2024

"When I go and you have it out around the corner, that is the problem," he said.

From BBC • Apr. 22, 2024

You want to have it out right now?”

From "Winger" by Andrew Smith

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023