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have at

B2 informal inseparable transitive

In simple words

To attack something or someone, or to tell someone to go ahead and start.

Literal meaning: To direct your action at something — to set yourself against it.

Meanings

1 C1 idiomatic formal

rare

To attack or challenge someone or something energetically (often as a battle cry or challenge).

"The two knights circled each other before crying 'have at thee!' and charging forward."

"Have at thee, coward!"
— William Shakespeare, 'Hamlet', Act 5 (archaic dueling language; widely appearing in Shakespeare's works)

Grammar: inseparable

2 B2 idiomatic informal

common

Used as an invitation telling someone to proceed, begin, or help themselves to something.

"If you think you can fix the engine, have at it — I've been trying for two hours."

Grammar: inseparable

Usage notes

Often used as an imperative ('Have at it!' or 'Have at thee!' in archaic/literary contexts). 'Have at it' is a common American informal expression meaning 'go ahead, it's yours to deal with'. The archaic use ('have at thee') is from sword fighting. Both senses survive in modern English.

Commonly used with

it them thee him problem task

Forms

Base

have at

I/you/we/they

3rd person

has at

he/she/it

Past simple

had at

yesterday

Past participle

had at

have + pp

-ing form

having at

continuous

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