have it

Receive or learn something, as in I have it on the best authority that he's running again . [Late 1600s]
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]
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]
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]
let someone have it . Give a beating, scolding, or punishment. For example, When she gets home Dad will let her have it . [Mid-1800s]
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 .

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

“I have a gift for Big Ben, because every young man starting out in the world needs to have — now, he can’t have it right now, you got to wait, but — he needs to have his own Godzilla,” the comic and former pro wrestler said.

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If they find him, we’ll have it updated on the website.

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Thomas started his career as a production designer on the director’s 1986 effort “She’s Gotta Have It,” then continued their collaboration on “Do the Right Thing,” “Jungle Fever,” “School Daze,” “Malcolm X” and “Da 5 Bloods.”

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You look at Canada, how they got universal health care: it was Saskatchewan farmers in the 1950s because they didn't have it through their employers.

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After the bombs began to fall, he tried to have it both ways or, actually, as many ways as one could possibly count—claiming that he had known about Israel’s plans all along, hailing the attack’s initial success, while also urging Tehran to come to the talks and “make a deal” anyway, calling on all parties to stop fighting and asking Russian President Vladimir Putin to help mediate.

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have in one's hands have it both ways

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