Commonly used english part 33 pps

have one's finger in too many pies - be involved in too many things The woman has her finger in too many pies and is unable to do her work well.. have one's heart in the right place- hav

have one`s feet on the ground

- be practical or sensible

The new sales manager really has his feet on the ground

have one's finger in too many pies

- be involved in too many things

The woman has her finger in too many pies and is unable to do her work well

have one's hand in the till

- be stealing money from a company or organization

The man had his hand in the till for many years before he was caught

have one's hands full with (someone or something)

- be totally occupied with someone or something

The mother has her hands full with the two young children

have one's hands tied

- be prevented from doing something

I had my hands tied and was unable to help my friend with his request

have one's head in the clouds

- be unaware of what is going on

The boy has his head in the clouds and doesn't think about what is going on around him

have one's heart go out to someone

- have compassion for someone

have one's heart in the right place

- have good intentions (even if the results may be bad)

The woman has her heart in the right place and is always ready to help if she can

have one's heart set against (something)

- be totally against something

My father has his heart set against my trip to Europe

have one`s heart set on (something)

- want something very much

The child has his heart set on getting a new bicycle for his birthday

have one's nose in a book

- be reading a book

The boy loves reading and always has his nose in a book

have one's nose in the air

- be conceited or aloof

The girl has her nose in the air and is unfriendly to the other members of her class

have one's work cut out for one

- have a large and difficult task to do

We had our work cut out for us when we began to paint the house

have oneself something

- use or consume something

I decided to have myself a drink before leaving for the movie

have other fish to fry

- have other or more important things to do

I have other fish to fry and do not want to get involved with the small problems in my company

have pull with (someone)

- have influence with someone

My friend has pull with his boss and often goes home early

have rocks in one`s head

- be stupid, not have good judgement

She has rocks in her head She should never have bought that old car

have second thoughts about (someone or something)

- have doubts about someone or something

Recently, I am having second thoughts about buying a new motorcycle

have seen better days

- be worn out or well-used

My bicycle has seen better days and soon I will need to buy a new one

have (someone) in one's pocket

- have control over someone

The large union has the city mayor in their pocket

have (someone or something) in tow

- lead/pull/tow someone or something

have (someone) over

- invite someone to your house

We plan to have my parents over when we settle into our new house

have (someone's) blood on one's hands

- be responsible for someone's death

The army general has the citizen's blood on his hands

have (someone's) hide

- scold or punish someone

The mother promised to have her son's hide if he didn't behave

have (something) against (someone or something)

- have a dislike for someone or something

I don't know why but my teacher seems to have something against me

have (something) at one's fingertips

- have something within reach

I didn't have a pen at my fingertips so I couldn't write down the man's address

have (something) coming to (someone)

- deserve punishment for something

The girl has the punishment coming to her because of what she did

have (something) down pat

- have learned or memorized something perfectly

I have the dance routine down pat

have (something) going for one

- have ability/talent/good looks

She has a lot going for her and I am sure that she will get the new job

have (something) hanging over one's head

- have something worrying one

I want to finish my final essay so I don't have it hanging over my head

have (something) in common with (someone or something)

- resemble each other in specific ways, have similar interests to someone

I have much in common with a girl in my class

have (something) in mind

- have a plan or idea in one's mind

I don't know what my friend has in mind so I will ask him later

have (something) in stock

- have goods available to sell

The store does not have any CD players in stock

have (something) in store for (someone)

- have something planned for someone

I don't know what my boss has in store for me

have (something) on

- have plans for a particular time

I have something on this afternoon so I can't go to the park

have (something) on file

- have or keep a written record of something

I have the report on file on my computer disc

have (something) on (someone)

- have information or proof that someone did something wrong

I think that the police have something on the man and that is why he wants to quit his job

have (something) on the ball

- be smart/clever/skilled

She really has a lot on the ball She should do well in her new job

have (something) on the brain

- be obsessed with something

My sister has tennis on the brain and is always talking about it

have (something) on the tip of one's tongue

- be almost able to remember a specific fact such as a name or place

I have the actor's name on the tip of my tongue but I can't remember it

have (something) stuck in one's craw

- have something irritate or displease someone

The man's complaint stuck in my craw for several weeks before I forgot it

have (something) to do with (something)

- to be about something, to be on the subject of something, to be related to something

"The book has something to do with cooking but I am not sure if you will like it." That problem has nothing to do with me

have (something) to spare

- have more than enough of something

We have extra blankets to spare so we gave them to our neighbors

have (something) up one`s sleeve

- have something kept secretly ready for the right time

I`m not too worried about the meeting as I have something up my sleeve if there are any problems

have sticky fingers

- to steal things

He was fired from the restaurant because he has sticky fingers

have the best of both worlds

- be able to enjoy two different opportunities

The man has the best of both worlds and can enjoy the outdoors and nature while he is working at his job

have the courage of one's convictions

- have enough courage and determination to carry out one's goals

The man has the courage of his convictions and will only do what he feels is right

have the devil to pay

- have a great deal of trouble

I will have the devil to pay if I don't return home before dark

have the feel of (something)

- have learned how something feels, be accustomed to something

As soon as I had the feel of the airplane, the instructor let me fly it

have the gall to (do something)

- be arrogant enough to do something

The woman had the gall to ask me to stop talking after she had been talking loudly for

an hour

have the gift of the gab

- be able to talk and use language easily

My sister has the gift of the gab and is able to talk to others easily

have the last laugh

- make someone seem foolish for having laughed at you first

I had the last laugh when I went home early while everyone else had to stay overnight

at the airport because of the storm

have the makings of (something)

- possess the qualities that are needed for something

The new soccer player has the makings of a great star

have the Midas touch

- have the ability to make money easily

My uncle has the Midas touch and he makes money at whatever he does

have the presence of mind to (do something)

- have the calmness and ability to act sensibly in a difficult situation

My aunt had the presence of mind to write a will before she passed away

have the right-of-way

- have the right to drive in one lane while driving

The small car had the right-of-way but was hit by the large truck anyway

have the time of one's life

- have a very good time

We had the time of our life at the party last night

have the wherewithal to (do something)

- have the money or energy to do something

The man does not have the wherewithal to go to court and fight his case

have them rolling in the aisles

- make an audience laugh a lot

The speaker had them rolling in the aisles when he gave his talk

have to (do something)

- be obliged or forced to do something

I have to leave at 4:00 or I will be late for my appointment

have to live with (something)

- have to endure something

Although the house is very cold we will have to live with it

have too many irons in the fire

- be doing too many things at once

I have too many irons in the fire at the moment and I am very tired

have turned the corner

- have passed a critical point in a process

I think that we have turned the corner and that our business will improve soon

have two strikes against one

- have things working against one, be in a difficult situation

He already has two strikes against him and it will be very difficult for him to get the job

have what it takes

- have the ability or courage to do something

I don't believe that my friend has what it takes to be a good teacher

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(go) haywire

- become broken or confused

The plan went haywire when our directions became confused