Idiom
have a word
Meanings
To speak to someone briefly, often privately, about an important or sensitive matter.
To talk to someone to warn, correct, or complain about their behavior.
Definition
To have a word means to speak to someone briefly, often about something important or sensitive.
If you have a word with someone, you talk to them for a short time, usually in private. It is often used when you want to discuss a problem, give advice, or express a complaint. The tone can be friendly or serious depending on the situation.
Examples
- Can I have a word with you after the meeting?
- The teacher asked to have a word with my parents.
- I need to have a word with him about being late again.
- Let’s have a word in private for a minute.
- She pulled me aside to have a word about the new schedule.
More at B2 level
- Bob's your uncle Used to say that something will be easy or will happen exactly as expected after a simple step.
- touch base To touch base means to briefly contact someone to share a quick update or confirm plans.
- ballpark figure A ballpark figure is an approximate number or estimate, not an exact one.
- take the mickey To take the mickey means to tease someone or make fun of them in a not-too-serious way.
- cheap as chips Very cheap; costing very little money.
More idiom (verb phrase)s
- touch base To touch base means to briefly contact someone to share a quick update or confirm plans.
- take the mickey To take the mickey means to tease someone or make fun of them in a not-too-serious way.
- drop the ball To drop the ball means to make a mistake or fail to do something important that you were responsibl…
- have a chinwag To have a chinwag means to have a friendly, informal chat with someone.
- face the music To accept and deal with the unpleasant consequences of your actions or a difficult situation.