When someone gets tricked, cheated or decieved, we say that they have been had. Being mistreated, cheated or dealt with badly, is known as being had.
This expression uses the verb to have in the sense of getting someone in one's power or at a disadvantage.
Use this well-known idiom in informal situations. It's a very direct expression, so only use it with people you know well. Take a look at these examples.
"Look at these shoes. I paid $100 for them and they're falling apart already! I was had! I've been had by that shop!
"I can't believe you paid so much for that TV. You've been had! I bought the same TV for half the price."
"You've been had. That car is not worth the amount you paid for it!"
Can you give us an example of when you have been tricked or cheated? Tell us about a time when you thought, "I've been had!"
Link: Idiom of the day 'Like a red rag to a bull'
Comments
Been Had
Lifelike idiom. We are often had by other. Not so long ago when swine flu outbroke in my country the garlic (known as the leading treat against flu) had been steeply increased in price (5 times) and the ordinary people had to pay such a high price. Our politicians always waffle on, promise and doublespeak about changes for better life that they are going to bring about, but eventually we are had by them. I can think of at least 20-30 examples when I has been had by other people in my life, but I don't want to concentrate on that.
Let's have faith in people!
Thank you for an interesting idiom, Chris.
Great example! Thanks for
Great example!
Thanks for starting writing the first one. Now let's have some more, everyone!
Chris
similar expressions in russian?
hello. Nastja, could you give a similar expressions in russian to understand this phrase please? sorry but for me is not very clear how to use it. your comments to another lessons (Don't rub it in! etc) helps me a lot. thanks.
being had
I have been had when I lent my acquaintance some money but he didn't return me them.
I agree, we are often had by
I agree, we are often had by others, some time ago one man told us about some device which can help with many medical problems,his speech carried conviction, then I checked this information in internet- also a wonderful description of magic qualities of this device, only my husband convinced me that a box with some wires can treat nothing, I have been had. Thanks for useful idiom
I've been had
It's not a good feeling, but I think we all have experienced it some times. I have two examples:
My colleague and I worked on a project together. But afterwards he presented the results as his own work. I've been had by him!
My daughter promised to do the cleaning, but preferred to go shopping instead. I've been had by her behaviour!
Kristin
Last week I bought a cover
Last week I bought a cover of apple touch but I have been had.
Nice Idiom
Each person has the situation when he has been had!
Sometimes it's rather difficult to escape such sitiation.
Nice idiom - thanks.
I've been had by my colleague
people have been had by her nice behaviour, in fact, she have bad character when she always backbite.
I have been had many times
I have been had many times in my life but I used to forget very quickly. The last one is last week. I used to use a public van when going to work and the money collector ussually are young boys who pretend to forget the change if you didn't ask to rtuurn it. Last week I forget a change of 3 pounds while the fee is only 2 pound. I was had by that young man. I didn't look in his face because I sat in the front seat near the driver and I didn't see the driver face because I was doing some handwork. One thing I am sure about is that; the front glass of the van has many star-shap toyes and tweety bird hanged on. I think, next time I meet this van the dirive and his boy will be had by me (if I didn't forget). You know what, after I reach my place I will say to tham:'Ok, now you have my 2 pound for this trip from the three pounds you have last time and give me back one pound'
I felt reliefed after telling this story and I think tolerance is better. I will pray for them..may be they forget as I do.
Many thanks Chris for these fabulous lessons.
Layla
Thanks Layla
Interesting example, Layla - very well written to.
Thanks,
Chris
I remember one case in my past
Many years ago I have bought my friend's videotape. After that day, he came to me and borrowed this tape. After 1 week and I was trying to take it back, but I have been had. I have never seen my tape again and I lost my friend. He cheated me.
what's the meaning of "I WAS
what's the meaning of "I WAS HAD" ?
Thanks!
Thanks for the idiom. I've never used it!
e.g. My cousin was promissed a nice job but when she came to work she realised that she was had. The salary was low and the conditions of work were terrible.
Thanks for the web-site. There is so much interesting information here!
By the way, I download a lot of movies in English. I like to watch movies in English. I notice that each time I understand more and more.
Had
Last year, I went to london for touring. I have been had many times by taxi- drivers. I remember once, getting to my place after a night out, I asked the taxi driver, 'How much Sir?' He said ' 30 Pounds please", I was sure that I have 50 Pound in my pocket. In the taxi, It was dark , so I give him 50 instead of 30 Pounds.The man took the money quickly and left. When I discovered that I was had, called the company, but the man said I only give him 30 Pounds.
Also, In westmister Abbey, On that bridge 'forgot it's name' there were a group of gambles, so next minute I was gambling with them, I feel terribly stupid just remembering it . I was had by them and then my friend drag me out and told me to quit it .lol I was so addicted been had and I've never gambled after that .
Thanks for the idiom