have words with

Idioms

Quarrel with, scold, as in If Pete keeps on pushing Billy I'm going to have words with him. This phrase dates from the late 1700s, although the use of words for an altercation is much older. Also see have a word with.

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.

She said: "How is that a response to not go out... to have words with these boys or arrest them?"

From BBC • Aug. 8, 2025

His mother’s going to have words with you, America.

From Time • May 22, 2013

As everyone looked to be walking back to the other side of the field, toward the benches and locker rooms, Ochoa and Parke continued to have words with Anibaba.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 30, 2012

Sharks C Andrew Desjardins appeared to have words with Carlyle as he was escorted off the ice after being ejected near the end of the first period.

From Washington Post • Oct. 19, 2011

Hercules glared at the sky accusingly, like he wanted to have words with his father, Zeus.

From "The Mark of Athena" by Rick Riordan

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