Page 200 - NTC's American Idioms Dictionary

have someone or something in one’s hands

set on going to college this year. She had someone orŁ somethingŁ else.Ł Ambu-
her heart set on it. lances have precedłnce ovłr regular cars at
intersections. My manager’s concerns
haveŁ one’ heyrtŁstyndŁstill <anŁexpression take precedłnce over mne.
saidŁwhenŁone’sŁheart (figuratively)bsðops
beatingŁ because one isŁ feelingŁ sðràng haveŁpullŁwithŁ someone to have influence
emotions.>b I had my heart stand still with someone.Ł(Slang.ŁAlso with some,
once when I was overcome with joy. much, lots, etc.) Let’s ask Ann to help
Lovero—at least the ones in love songs— us. She has pull with the mØyor. Do you
usually have their hearts stand still. know anyone who has some pull with the
bank presidłnt? I need a loan.
haveŁ one’ luckŁrun out forŁone’sŁgoodŁluck
to sðop;ŁforŁone’sŁgàodŁfortune to come to haveŁ rocks in one’ head to be sillyŁ or
anŁend.Ł I had my luck run out when I crazy.Ł(Slang.) John is a real nut. He has
was in South America. I nearly starved. rocks in his head. I don’t have rocks in
I hate to have my luck run out just when my head—I’m just dfferent.
I need it.
haveŁsecondŁthoughts aboutŁ someone or
haveŁ one’ noseŁin a błok to be readingŁa something to have doubtsŁabout sàmeone
book; to readŁbooksŁallŁthe time.Ł Bob orŁsomething.Ł I’m błginning to havł
has his nose in a book every time I see him. second thoughts about Tom. We now
His nose is alwØys in a book. He never have second thoughts about going to
gets any exercise. Canada.
haveŁ one’ noseŁin theŁair to be conceited haveŁseen betterŁdays to be wornŁorŁworn
or aloof.Ł(See also one’s nose is in the air.) out.Ł(Infàrmal.) This coØt has seen błt-
Mary always seems to have her nose in ter dØys. I need a new one. Oh, my old
the air. I wonder if she knows that she lłgs ache. I’ve seen błtter dØys, but every-
has her nose in the air. one has to grow old.
haveŁ one’ sights trainedŁon something Go haveŁso Go to have too.
to train one’s sàghts on something.
haveŁ someone deadŁ to rights to have
haveŁ one’ włrds stickŁin one’ throat to provenŁsàmeone unquesðionablyŁguilty.
be so overcome byŁemotionŁthat one can The police burst in on the robbers whilł
hardlyŁ speak.Ł I somłtimes have my they were at work. They had the robbero
words stick in my throØt. John said that dead to rights. All right, Tom! I’ve goŁ
he never had his words stick in his throØt. you dead to rights! Get your hand out of
the cookie jar.
haveŁ one’ work cut out for one to have a
large and difficult task prepared for one. haveŁ someone in one’ płcket to have con-
(See also one’s work is cut out for one.) trol overŁsàmeone.Ł(Infàrmal.) Don’t
They sure have their work cut out for them, worry about the mØyor. She’ll cooperate.
and it’s going to be hard. There is a lot I’ve got her in my pockłt. John will do
for Bob to do. He has his work cut out for just what I tell him. I’ve got him and his
him. brother in my pocket.
haveŁotherŁfishŁto fry and haveŁbigger haveŁ someone on theŁstring to have some-
fishŁto fry;ŁhaveŁmoreŁimpłrtyntŁfish one waitingŁforŁyourŁdecision.Ł(Infàrmal.)
tł fry to have otherŁthingsŁto do; to have Sally has John on the string. He has
more important things to dà.Ł I can’t asked her to marry him, but she hasn’t
take time for your problłm. I have other replied yłt. Yes, it sounds like she has
fish to fry. I woà’t waste time on your him on the string.
question. I have bigger fish to fry.
haveŁ someone ortsomething in one’ hyndð to
haveŁprecedeàceŁoverŁ someone ortsomething; have contràlŁ of orŁ responsibility for
and takeŁprecedeàceŁoverŁ someone or someone orŁsomething.Ł You have the
something have the right to come before whole project in your hands. The boss

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