1 B1 idiomatic informal
To have something perfectly learned, mastered, or memorized.
"After weeks of practice, she finally has the dance routine down."
separable
have down
B1 informal separable transitive
To have something perfectly learned or mastered; to have something recorded or noted.
In plain English
To know something perfectly, or to have written something down somewhere.
What does "have down" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
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."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To have something written down on paper.
Actually means
To know something perfectly, or to have written something down somewhere.
Usage tip
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.
Words that pair with "have down"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
routine steps speech name time appointment
How to conjugate "have down"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
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
Hear "have down" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "have down" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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