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 .

---

Example Sentences

Baby boomers like to push back, saying they didn’t have it so easy themselves.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 11, 2026

“If there isn’t a buyer at this price, I think we will probably find an avenue to have it renovated and sell it at the higher price.”

From MarketWatch • Apr. 8, 2026

That said, incoming Fed chair Kevin Warsh doesn’t have it easy either, Stiglitz added.

From Barron's • Apr. 7, 2026

He has brought that sports coat around the world in the last year, but was too protective of it to have it dry cleaned or have a tailor change a stitch of it.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 7, 2026

Who wants to read a whole book and have it end with the ball hanging in midair?

From "The Million Dollar Shot" by Dan Gutman