have on

British  

verb

1. (usually adverb) to wear

2. (usually adverb) to have (a meeting or engagement) arranged as a commitment

   what does your boss have on this afternoon?

3. informal (adverb) to trick or tease (a person)

4. (preposition) to have available (information or evidence, esp when incriminating) about (a person)

   the police had nothing on him, so they let him go

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have on Idioms  

1. have something on . See have nothing on , def. 3.

2. have someone on ; put someone on . Deceive or fool someone, as in There was no answer when I called; someone must be having me on , or You can't mean you're taking up ballet—you're putting me on! [ Colloquial ; mid-1800s]

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Example Sentences

In this Money Talks: Elizabeth Spiers is joined by psychologist Dr. Leanne ten Brinke whose new book, Poisonous People, explores the impact that people with psychopathic and related personality traits have on our everyday lives.

From Slate • Apr. 14, 2026

Investors are also grappling with questions about what impact artificial intelligence will have on the labor market and what’s next from the Federal Reserve.

From Barron's • Apr. 13, 2026

Look at the stranglehold ridesharing apps have on hailing a cab.

From Salon • Apr. 13, 2026

Many tourists looking to spend the Easter weekend in north and west Wales cancelled, leaving some worried about the effect it will have on the tourism industry.

From BBC • Apr. 5, 2026

I didn’t know he was coming to pick me up after school, so I still have on that ugly weave from Unique Hair Essentials.

From "American Street" by Ibi Zoboi

Related Words

• bear
• carry
• cover
• display
• don
• get into
• get on
• put on
• show
• slip on
• sport
• wrap