have a time—(coll.) 1. encounter some difficulty; have a hard time: He hoped that Lavinia wasn’t having a time with the twins, cooped inside on a damp afternoon. 2. enjoy oneself; have fun: “Do you like the seashore?” “Yes, I’m having quite a time.” have the time— 1. (also: have time) have sufficient time to […]
Category: Confusing Phrases
Difference between Have a tiger by the tail and Hold an eel by the tail
have a tiger by the tail —(also: catch a tiger by the tail) engage in an undertaking which may prove extremely dangerous or difficult: Everybody seems to have their own opinion on how the concert will go: they have a tiger by the tail and are not sure themselves how to handle the huge crowd […]
Difference between Have a thing about someone and Have a thing with someone
have a thing about someone—(coll.) 1. feel a strong attraction to smb.: That smile, that jawline. No wonder Jacquie had a thing about him. 2. harbor a prejudice or fear about a person: Connie’s got a “thing” about police. “Never trust a policeman” is her motto. have a thing with someone—(coll.) have a love affair […]
Difference between Have a taste for something and Have a taste of something
have a taste for something—have a liking or preference for smth.: He had a taste for literature, and we got on together like one o’clock. Note: The expression is not equivalent in meaning to the phrase have a taste in something—have the ability to choose the best kind of smth.: He has a taste in […]
Difference between Have a swelled head and Have a thick head
have a swelled head—(also: have a big head) have an exaggerated opinion of oneself; be self-conceited: Everybody over forty is tired and down and out, and everybody under thirty has swelled head. have a thick head—(coll.) 1. be dull of intellect: You could have worked that out for yourselves if you hadn’t such thick heads. […]
Difference between Have a screw loose and There is a screw loose
have a screw loose—(coll.) be mentally defective or not acting normally: I don’t go much with anarchists. It’s my judgment they nearly always have a screw loose. there is a screw loose —(coll.) there is smth. wrong in the condition of things: Now this may come into court, you know. If there is a screw […]
Difference between Have a say and Have the say
have a say— 1. (also: have a voice) have the right or the opportunity to give one’s opinion: People want to have a say in how the country should be governed. 2. give one’s opinion on a matter: The 75-year-old Rossi announced he would be leaving … and he has had a say in who […]
Difference between Have a run of something and Have the run of something
have a run of something—enjoy a period of some condition or state of things: We have had a long-continued run of the loveliest weather. have the run of something—have permission to use smth. freely: While his parents are in Florida each winter, Charles has the run of the house. Note: The expression does not correlate […]
Difference between Have a run and Have the runs
have a run— 1. make an outing or a short journey in a car, etc.: If it’s fine to-morrow we’ll have a run in the new car. 2. have a tear in a knitted garment: I had an awful ladder in my stocking … I scarcely ever have a run now. have the runs —(coll.) […]
Difference between Have a rough time and Rough it in the bush
have a rough time—experiecnce difficulties or suffer for a period of time: Carter said he had a rough time on his summer tour because he injured his knee. rough it in the bush—(also: rough it) live for a period of time without the usual comforts and conveniences: On a safari you can stay at some […]
Difference between Have a resemblance to something and Have a semblance of something
have a resemblance to something—(also: bear a resemblance to something ) seem similar to smth. else, especially in external appearance: You walk into the water park through an entrance gate that has a resemblance to a beach hut. have a semblance of something—(also: bear a semblance of something ) have a slight, superficial and often […]
Difference between Have a quick one and Pull a fast one
have a quick one—(sl.) 1. have a drink before one does smth. else: We had a quick one and admired the bar, then left and had a wander around the town center. 2. said of a brief and brisk sex act: I guess I’d been upstairs long enough for him to think I’d had a […]