have an in —(coll.) have influence with smb. of authority: Sorry, I don’t have an in, but I know someone who does. have an out—(coll.) have a means of escape or avoiding smth.: No matter what happens, he always has an out.
Category: Confusing Phrases
Difference between Have an idea and Have ideas
have an idea— 1. have a notion of smth.: We had an idea of a law firm that tossed out the usual law firm trappings: no mahogany or marble; no suits unless that’s what you prefer to wear. 2. think or suppose smth.: I heard what he said to you. I had an idea you […]
Difference between Have an eye out for someone and Have eyes for someone
have an eye out for someone—be very alert wishing to pick out one particular person: When she was out back having a smoke … she had an eye out for him. have eyes for someone—(coll.) have a strong romantic interest in a person: Now, my sister was a beautiful girl and I knew even Mitchell […]
Difference between Have an eye on something and Have one eye on something
have an eye on something— 1. choose smth. one has seen as a desirable acquisition: I have had an eye on a dress in the shop across the road for some time. 2. keep close watch upon smth.: The chances are that the authorities may have had an eye on such kind of “hardware” [torpedoes]. […]
Difference between Have an eye for something and Have an eye out for something
have an eye for something—be quick to notice or appreciate smth. such as quality, etc.: She has an eye for color and style in clothes. have an eye out for something—be alert and watchful wishing to get or acquire smth.: Mary always has an eye out for bargains.
Difference between Have an ear for music and Have Van Gogh’s ear for music
have an ear for music—have the ability to learn music: Eva Jane also has an ear for music. She played saxophone in her high school band in Florida. have Van Gogh’s ear for music—be tone deaf: There is something romantic about the Parisian basement dive. No matter that the pianist has Van Gogh’s ear for […]
Difference between Have an affinity for something and Have an affinity with something
have an affinity for something— 1. feel liking for smth.: Figure modeling may seem like an odd activity, but to those who have an affinity for art, figure modeling makes a world of sense. 2. (of a chemical substance) have a tendency to unite with another substance: Alcohol has a strong affinity for water, and […]
Difference between Have a word with someone and Have words with someone
have a word with someone—have a short conversation with a person: The personnel manager said he wanted to have a word with me. Note: The expression is not equivalent in meaning to the phrase have a word in someone’s ear—give a brief message to a person in confidence: My employer, the cadi, wants to have […]
Difference between Have a way with someone and Have one’s way with someone
have a way with someone—have natural ability to deal well with smb.: I oughtn’t to blame you if Marion’s taken a shine to you. You must have a way with women. have one’s way with someone— 1. impose one’s authority on a person: …they were pagans. And thus I had my way with them, and […]
Difference between Have a voice and Have voice
have a voice —(also: have a say) have the right to express an opinion on a subject: The students should have a voice in determining the way in which universities should develop. have voice— 1. have the physical ability to produce speech sounds: Many of the lower animals have voice, but none has the power […]
Difference between Have a use for something and Have the use of something
have a use for something—find an application for which smth. can be used: I turned the material over to the radiochemistry department, which seemed to have a use for it. Note: The expression is only partially antonymous in meaning to the phrase have no use for something— 1. have no application for which smth. can […]
Difference between Have a try at something and Have a try for something
have a try at something—attempt to do smth. unfamiliar: I don’t know whether I can mend the clock, but I’ll have a try at it. have a try for something—attempt to get or obtain smth.: You may not get the job, but at least you can have a try for it.