be had

Idioms

Be outwitted; also, be cheated, deceived. For example, This lawyer is a real shyster; you've been had , or I've become very cautious about these schemes; it's too costly to be had more than once . This expression employs the verb to have in the sense of getting someone in one's power or at a disadvantage. [ Slang ; early 1800s]
Be bribed or influenced by dishonest means. For example, Our senator's incorruptible; he cannot be had . [ Slang ; early 1800s]

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

KAMPALA, Uganda—Ten million people face hunger in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s east, and it isn’t because there is no food to be had.

From The Wall Street Journal

It all began through the first decades of the 20th century, when good-sized pieces of land in southeast LA County could be had for not much money, and there was water for agriculture — Artesia was named for its artesian wells — and specifically crops to feed the cows.

From Los Angeles Times

In my quest to prove that quintessentially Parisian experiences can be had without exorbitant fees, I went in search of affordable perfumery workshops.

From The Wall Street Journal

Still, there is pleasure to be had in watching these initially star-crossed lovers dodge all the lectures and prophecies of doom — the always excellent Constance Zimmer shows up as Bessette’s mother, who is not happy about the match either — as they make their way to each other.

From Los Angeles Times

"Now," said Jonn hastily, for he was a man embarrassed by strong feelings openly expressed, "I suggest we go home and make our preparations for the journey. Then a good night's sleep should be had by all before the dawn is upon us. Agreed?"

From Literature

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023