HAVE IT

{v. phr.} 1. To hear or get news; understand. * /I have it on the best authority that we will be paid for our work next week./ 2. To do something in a certain way. * /Make up your mind, because you can't have it both ways. You must either stay home or come with us./ * /Bobby must have it his way and play the game by his rules./ 3. To claim; say. * /Rumor has it that the school burned down./ * /Gossip has it that Mary is getting married./ * /The man is very smart the way his family has it, but I think he's silly./ 4. To allow it. - Usually used with "will" or "would" in negative sentences. * /Mary wanted to give the party at her house, but her mother wouldn't have it./ Syn.: HEAR OF, STAND FOR. 5. To win. * /When the senators vote, the ayes will have it./ 6. To get or find the answer; think of how to do something. * /"I have it!" said John to Mary. "We can buy Mother a nice comb for her birthday."/ 7. {informal} To have an (easy, good, rough, soft) time; have (certain kinds of) things happen to you; be treated in a (certain) way by luck or life. * /Everyone liked Joe and he had it good until he got sick./ * /Mary has it easy; she doesn't have to work./ 8. See: AS LUCK WOULD HAVE IT.