10 Common Idioms with the Word “Have”
Have a Bee In One’s Bonnet
Definition:
To be excited in a negative way; to express a pet peeve
For example:
Jill has a bee in her bonnet about the account reconciliation. I honestly think the way I did it is perfectly good.
Have Been Through The Wars
Definition:
Hardened, having much experience of difficult conditions, worn out
For example:
Frank will be a good leader on this project. It’s going to be difficult, but he’s been through the wars.
Have Bigger Fish To Fry
Definition:
To have more important things to do
For example:
I can’t help you with your presentation right now. I have bigger fish to fry.
Have the Bit Between One’s Teeth
Definition:
In control of a situation
For example:
The team seems to have the bit between their teeth. All the drills are paying off.
Have a Chip on One’s Shoulder
Definition:
To be combative, to be consistently argumentative
For example:
John can be very difficult to get along with. He has a chip on his shoulder, and he’ll blow up at you over the smallest things.
If It Had Been a Snake, It Would Have Bitten Me
Definition:
It was very obvious, but I missed it.
For example:
My car key was on my desk the whole time. If it had been a snake, it would’ve bitten me.
Have a Mind Like a Steel Trap
Definition:
An intelligent person who grasps concepts extremely quickly
For example:
Andrew seems as though he’s not paying attention, but he’s got a mind like a steel trap. At the end he can tell you everything that was discussed.
Have a Stick Up One’s Ass
Definition:
Be very rigid
For example:
I don’t see why Jared has a stick up his ass about the schedule—we’ve always changed it to suit our needs in the past.
Have Your Thumb Up Your Ass
Definition:
Have nothing to do
For example:
In this job, 90 percent of the time you stand around with your thumb up your ass. But the other 10 percent is incredbily busy.
Have a Screw Loose
Definition:
Be slightly unbalanced or crazy
For example:
Consuela says she’s going bungee jumping on her vacation. I think she has a screw loose.
