Page 202 - NTC's American Idioms Dictionary

have something up one’s sleeves

haveŁ something in common (withŁ someone or think I’d do błtter in school if I had more
something) [forŁgroupsŁof people or things] on the ball. I learn slowly.
to resemble one anotherŁinŁspecificŁways. haveŁ something on theŁbrain to be obsessed
Bill and Bob both have red hair. They with something. (Slang.) Bob has cho-
have that in common with each other. colØte on the brain. Mary has money
Bob and Mary have a lot in common. I can on the brain. She wants to earn as much as
see wðy they like each other.
possible.
haveŁ something in hynd to have sàmething haveŁ something on theŁtipŁofŁ one’ tongue
inŁone’sŁhandŁor close by. (Compare this to be onŁthe verge of rememberingŁaŁspe-
with have something at hand.) I havł cificŁ fact, such asŁ someone’sŁ name; to
your lłtter of May tenth in hand. I havł have just forgàttenŁaŁspecificŁfact.Ł(Se
my płn in hand, and I’m ready to write. also on the tip of one’s tongue.) Just givł
haveŁ somethingŁ in mind to think of me a mnute. I have her name on the tip
somethingŁinŁparticular; to have anŁidea of my tonguł! I had her name on the tip
or image (of something)binŁone’sŁmind. of my tongue, but you made me forgłt it
BILL: I would like to purchase somł when you called.
boots. CLERK: Yes, sir. Did you have some- haveŁ something outŁ(withŁ someone) to settl
thing in mnd? I have somłthing in aŁdisagreement orŁaŁcomplaint.Ł(Infàr-
mnd, but I don’t see it here. Good dØy. mal.)b John has błen mad Øt Mary for Ø
haveŁ something in stock to have merchan- włek. He finally had it out with her todØy.
dise available andŁreadyŁforŁsale.Ł Do I’m glad we are having this out todØy.
you have extra large sizes in stock? Of haveŁ something stickŁin one’ craw to have
course, we have all sizes and colors in stock. sàmething irritate or displease sàmeone.
(Folksy.) I don’t like to have Bill’s wordo
haveŁ something in storeŁ (fłrŁ someone) to stick in my craw. He meant to have the
have somethingŁplannedŁforŁone’sŁfuture. problłm stick in my craw and upset me.
Tom has a large inheritance in store for
him when his uncle dies. I wish I had haveŁsomethingŁto do withŁ something and
somłthing like that in store. [not]ŁhaveŁanythingŁto do withŁ some-
thing; haveŁnothingŁto do withŁ something
haveŁ something made 1. to hire sàmeone to to be associated with or related to sàme-
make sàmething. Isn’t it a lovely coØt? thing. Does your dislike for Sally havł
I had to have it made because I couldà’t somłthing to do with the way she insulŁed
find one I liked in a store. We had the you? My illness has somłthing to do
cake made at the bakery. Our ovłn isn’t big with my lungs.
enough for a cake that size. 2. to have
achievedŁaŁsuccessfulŁsðate.Ł(Slang.ŁUsu- haveŁ something tł go Go to buy something to
ally with it.) Mary really has it made. go.
She inherited one million dollars. I wish haveŁ something to spyre to have mor than
I had it made like that. enough of sàmething. (Infàrmal.ŁSee alsà
haveŁ something on Go to have something and something to spare.) Ask John for
doàng. some firewood. He has firewood to spare.
Do you have any candy to spare?
haveŁ something on file to have aŁ written
record of somethingŁinŁsðorage.Ł I’m haveŁsomethingŁup one’ sleeve to have
sure I have your lłtter on file. I’ll check aŁsecret or surprise plan orŁsàlution (to
again. We have your applicØtion on filł aŁproblem).Ł(Slang.ŁRefersŁto cłeatingŁat
somłwhere. cardsŁbyŁhavingŁaŁcardŁhiddenŁinŁone’s
sleeve.) I’ve got somłthing up my slłeve,
haveŁ something on theŁball to have aŁpar- and it should solve all your problłms. I’ll
ticularŁamount of smartnessŁorŁclever- tell you what t is after I’m elected. The
ness.Ł(Slang.) Both John and Mary havł managłr has somłthing up her slłeve.
a lot on the ball. They should go far. I She’ll surprise us with it later.

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