What are the definitions of “have up”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Make someone appear in court.
They HAD him UP for armed robbery.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “have up”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb have up is to make someone appear in court for a legal proceeding. It means that someone is being charged with a crime and must face a judge or jury.
What are the different verb forms of “have up”?
| Root Verb | have up |
| Third Person Singular Present | has up |
| Present Participle | having up |
| Simple Past | had up |
| Past Participle | had up |
Example
The police will have him up for theft.
Example
She has up the suspect for questioning.
Example
The authorities are having up the criminal for trial.
Example
They had up the man for fraud last year.
Example
The suspect was had up for assault.
What kind of phrasal verb is “have up”?
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a transitive and intransitive verb? - A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.) - An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)
Transitive verb
“have up” is a transitive phrasal verb because it requires a direct object to complete its meaning. The direct object specifies what is being removed, obtained, or eliminated.
Example
The police had him up for armed robbery.
Example
They had her up for tax evasion.
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb? - A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle. - An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.
Inseparable
“have up” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.
Example
The police had him up for armed robbery.
Example
They had her up for tax evasion.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “have up”?
Have up
To make someone appear in court for a legal proceeding.
Example
The authorities had up the suspect for a hearing.
Good things to know
Does “have up” have an informal or formal tone?
Have up is an informal phrasal verb used in everyday speech. It is more commonly used in casual conversations and may not be appropriate for formal settings. In more formal contexts, alternatives such as 'charge,' 'prosecute,' or 'bring to trial' may be more suitable.
