have a word with (one)
To talk with one, perhaps to issue a warning or reprimand. A: «Aunt Karen let me have ice cream for dinner!» B: «Is that so? Karen, may I have a word with you?» I just had a word with Stu and he said he’ll join us tonight.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
have a word with
Speak with, discuss with, as in Jerry asked to have a word with you, or I must have a word with Bill about the repairs. This expression, from the late 1400s, was at one time used interchangeably with have words with, but it no longer is.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
have a ˈword (with somebody) (about something)
have a short conversation about something, especially in private: Can I have a word, Marie? It’s about Jane.
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
have a word with
To have a brief conversation with (someone); speak to.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
- have a word with
- have a word with (one)
- a word with (one)
- word with
- I’d like a word with you
- Can I have a word with you?
- I’d like to have a word with you
- I’d like a word with you. and Could I have a word with you?
- May I have a word with you?
- be after (someone or something)
have a word: meaning and explanation
to have a word with someone = to speak to someone, probably only for a short time.
When we ask if we can have a word with someone, it is often because we want to ask for their advice about something (as the speaker in this dictation is doing).
It can also be used when we want to give someone some advice, e.g. I need to have a word with Steven about the way he talks to customers. I think he can come across as a bit aggressive sometimes.
It is also useful as a way to ask to talk to someone about something. e.g. Can I have a quick word with you about the presentation next week?
Have a go at these micro-dictation exercises to hear this expression being used in context – how much can you understand?
Listening exercises
Micro-listening #1
Accent: England (RP)
Your browser does not support the audio element.
About the sentence
…I could do with some advice…
I could do with sth is a nice phrase for saying that you need something, e.g. I hardly slept last night – I could do with a coffee.
Micro-listening #2
Accent: North America
Your browser does not support the audio element.
- Hard
- Medium
I need to a neighbour about – it’s woken 5 nights .
About the sentence
…5 nights in a row…
The phrase in a row is used to talk about things happening consecutively, without interruption. e.g. He was fired after turning up for work late 4 days in a row.
Micro-listening #3
Accent: England (RP)
Your browser does not support the audio element.
Extra practice
Here are some questions/links to help you learn the new vocabulary:
- Can you remember the last time you had a word with someone? Why did you need to talk to them?
have a word with
converse briefly I will have a word with him before he goes home tonight.
have a word with you
talk to you, discuss with you «As I left the room, Mr. Lee said, «»May I have a word with you?»»»
to have a word with someone
to talk to someone about something you are not happy with: «I’m going to have a word with him about his kids’ behaviour.»
have a word with|have|have a word
v. phr. 1. To talk, discuss, or speak briefly with. Robert, I need to have a word with you about tomorrow’s exam. 2. To engage in a sincere discussion with the purpose of persuading the other person or let him or her know of one’s dissatisfaction. Our boss has been making funny decisions lately; I think we ought to have a word with him.
have a chat with (one)
To allocution with one, conceivably to affair a admonishing or reprimand. A: «Aunt Karen let me accept ice chrism for dinner!» B: «Is that so? Karen, may I accept a chat with you?» I aloof had a chat with Stu and he said he’ll accompany us tonight.Learn more: have, word
have a chat with
Speak with, altercate with, as in Jerry asked to accept a chat with you, or I charge accept a chat with Bill about the repairs. This expression, from the backward 1400s, was at one time acclimated interchangeably with have words with, but it no best is. Learn more: have, word
have a ˈword (with somebody) (about something)
accept a abbreviate chat about something, abnormally in private: Can I accept a word, Marie? It’s about Jane.Learn more: have, word
have a chat with
To accept a abrupt chat with (someone); allege to.Learn more: have, word
From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishhave a wordhave a wordespecially spokenTALK TO somebody to talk to someone quickly, especially because you need their advice about something or you want to tell them to do something
Could I have a word?have a word with
I’ll have a word with him and see if he’ll help.have a quick/brief word
I was hoping to have a quick word with you.have/exchange a few words
Could I have a few words with you? → wordExamples from the Corpushave a word• Better have a word with her about the domestic arrangements.• I really came to have a word with Charles Julian.• Eventually the managing director was forced to have a word with him.• The cruise industry would love to have a word with you.• Before I went, though, I managed to have a word on the side with the lass.• I wanted to have a word with you about Yorick.
Идиома: have a word (with someone)
Перевод: переговорить с кем-либо
Пример:
I will have a word with my boss before he goes home tonight.
Я поговорю со своим начальником перед тем, как он уйдет домой.
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idiom
: to talk with someone briefly
Could I have a word with you?
Dictionary Entries Near have a word with (someone)
have a way with
have a word with (someone)
have bearing on
Cite this Entry
Style
“Have a word with (someone).” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/have%20a%20word%20with%20%28someone%29. Accessed 14 Apr. 2023.
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