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have down as

B2 informal inseparable transitive
In simple words

To think of someone as being a certain kind of person, often based on an impression.

Literal meaning: To have someone recorded or noted as something — as if written down in a file.

Meanings

1 B2 idiomatic informal

To have formed the opinion or impression that someone is a particular type of person.

"I had her down as quite reserved, but she turned out to be the life of the party."

Grammar: inseparable
2 B2 idiomatic informal

To categorize or label someone as something, sometimes incorrectly or prematurely.

"Don't have me down as one of those people who can't take criticism — I genuinely want feedback."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

Common in British English. Implies that the speaker has formed a firm opinion or categorization of someone, sometimes prematurely. Often used when an expectation turns out to be wrong ('I had him down as shy, but he was hilarious'). Always followed by 'as' and an adjective or noun phrase.

Commonly used with

shy troublemaker expert professional loner genius

Forms

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

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