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have down

B1 informal separable transitive
In simple words

To know something perfectly, or to have written something down somewhere.

Literal meaning: To have something written down on paper.

Meanings

1 B1 idiomatic informal

To have something perfectly learned, mastered, or memorized.

"After weeks of practice, she finally has the dance routine down."

Grammar: separable
2 B1 neutral

To have something noted or recorded in a schedule, list, or document.

"I have you down for a meeting at two o'clock on Thursday."

Grammar: separable
Usage notes

Two main uses: (1) to have something mastered or memorized ('I've got the speech down'); (2) to have something recorded in writing or a schedule ('I have you down for 3 p.m.'). Both are common in everyday British and American English.

Commonly used with

routine steps speech name time appointment

Forms

Base
have down
I/you/we/they
3rd person
has down
he/she/it
Past simple
had down
yesterday
Past participle
had down
have + pp
-ing form
having down
continuous

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