have it out for
B2 informal inseparable transitive
In simple words
To want bad things to happen to someone because you don't like them.
Meanings
1 B2
idiomatic
informal
To be persistently and unfairly hostile toward a specific person; to bear a grudge against someone.
"My little brother is convinced that his football coach has it out for him because he never gets to start."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Primarily American English. Functionally identical to the British 'have it in for.' Often perceived as slightly more intense or personal than the British equivalent. Used in the same contexts — bosses, teachers, rivals — where someone appears to target another unfairly.
Commonly used with
teacher boss coach really always seems like
Forms
Base
have it out for
I/you/we/they
3rd person
has it out for
he/she/it
Past simple
had it out for
yesterday
Past participle
had it out for
have + pp
-ing form
having it out for
continuous
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