List of common collocations and idioms with "have" with examples and meanings. Sentences can be formed as "verb and noun" or used as "idioms."
Collocations and Idioms With "Have"
Here are some collocations and idioms with "Have" with meanings and examples:
1. Have a baby: Literally, there is a baby.
- She's going to have a baby.
2. Have a backache: Literally, there is a pain in the back.
- My father has a backache so he couldn't sleep well.
3. Have a bad fall: Literally, there is a bad fall.
- My friend had a bad fall.
4. Have a bad temper: Literally, bad mood.
- I know I have a bad temper sometimes.
5. Have a chance: Literally, there is a chance.
- We have a chance to make things better.
6. Have a competition: Literally, to conduct a competition.
- Next week, we will have a competition at school.
7. Have a conversation/chat: Literally, to have a conversation/chat.
- Can we have a conversation before we make any decision?
8. Have a dance: Literally, to do a dance.
- Let's have a dance together.
9. Have a discussion: Literally, to have a discussion.
- We should have a discussion about this topic to understand deeply.
10. Have a dispute: Literally, to make a dispute.
- I have a dispute with anyone who would challenge us.
11. Have a dream: Literally, to have a dream.
- I had a dream that I won the lottery.
12. Have a drink: Literally, to have a drink.
- Would you like to have a drink after work?
13. Have a feeling: Literally, there is a feeling.
- I have a feeling that something is wrong.
14. Have a fight: Literally, there is a fight.
- My best friend and I had a fight.
15. Have a fit: To become very or unreasonably angry or upset; to have an outburst of rage, frustration, or ill temper.
- If your mother finds out about this, she'll have a fit.
16. Have a game: Literally, there is a game.
- He said we could have a game.
17. Have a go
A: To attempt to do or undertake something, especially that which is unfamiliar or new.
- I know a lot of this work is new to you, but just have a go and let me know if you have any questions.
B: To physically attack someone.
- Watch out for that bull in the back field—he'll have a go at you if you get too close.
C: To criticize, berate, or verbally harass someone at length and/or with great intensity.
- My wife had a go at me last night for coming home drunk again.
18. Have a goal: Literally, there is a purpose.
- You now have a goal to aim for.
19. Have a good time: To enjoy oneself; to find pleasure in a particular situation or activity. This phrase can also be used as an imperative.
- I had a good time with my family.
20. Have a great weekend: Literally, wishing you a beautiful weekend.
- Did you have a great weekend?
21. Have a hard time: To have difficulty; to struggle.
- Companies are having a hard time finding and retaining their people.
22. Have a look: Literally, take a look.
- Can I have a look at your wedding photos?
23. Have a nap: Literally, to take a nap.
- I was exhausted so I had a nap on the sofa."
24. Have an edge on: To be drunk.
- Do you remember last night at the bar at all? You really had an edge on.
25. have (one's) back to the wall: To be in a bad or high-pressure situation in which one's choice or ability to act is limited.
- She really has her back to the wall now that creditors are coming after her for more money than she makes.
26. have (one) cold: To be in complete control, to the extent that one can dictate one's actions.
- Once the gangsters were able to blackmail Susan, they had her cold.
27. Have (one's) collar felt: To be arrested or detained by the police.
- "Yeah, I've had my collar felt once or twice." "Well, maybe if you didn't steal stuff, you wouldn't get arrested."
28. Have (one's) hands tied: To be prevented from acting, helping, or intervening as one should or desires to due to circumstances beyond one's control, such as rules, conflicting orders, or higher priorities.
- I'm sorry, I would love to approve your application, but I have my hands tied by the regulations.
29. Have (one's) mind on (something): To be thinking about or preoccupied with something.
- After getting my latest credit card bill, I had my mind on my financial problems all day.
30. Have (one's) ducks in a row: To be well-organized, prepared, and up-to-date.
- Before you make those accusations, you better have your ducks in a row.
31. Have (one's)/the facts straight
A: To know and understand the facts of a situation accurately or truthfully.
- They're trying to give us a history lesson on the area, but I'm not sure they have their facts straight.
B: To present the details of a situation in an accurate or consistent way.
- Let's be sure to have our facts straight before the police question us.
32. have (one's) wicked way with (someone): To have sex with someone. Slang
- Did you really have your wicked way with that hot chick from the bar? Is that why you never came home last night?
33. Have (one's) work cut out: To have much work to do to complete a particular task.
- I knew I had my work cut out for me when I saw how messy the play room was
34. have (one's) monkey up: To be angry.
- I hope you don't have your monkey up—I wasn't trying to insult you.
35. Have (one's) shoulder to the wheel: To make a sustained, concentrated, and vigorous effort; to work very hard and diligently.
- I know that the new deadline is tight, but if everyone has their shoulders to the wheel, I know we can get it done in time!
36. Have (one's) wires crossed
A: Of oneself, to be or become confused, mistaken, or mentally disordered (about something). An allusion to telephone lines being wrongly connected and thus disrupting calls.
- I'm sorry for bringing you the wrong order, sir, I've had my wires crossed all day!
B: Of two or more people, to have a miscommunication between one another, resulting in a mistake or misunderstanding.
- I'm sorry about all the confusion regarding the contract, Bob. It looks like we had our wires crossed somehow.
37. Have (someone or something) at hand: To have someone or something nearby or physically within one's reach.
- I always have a glass of water at hand when I sleep, because I hate waking up thirsty.
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