legislation in the hope that some of their comments will reach the ear of the government. have the face • lose face have the face —(followed by Infinitive) be sufficiently shame- less to do smth.: If I had done otherwise, how could I have ever had the face to visit the graves of my parents? lose face—(also: lose one’s face) damage one’s reputation; lose respect: Admitting she cannot answer a child’s question, she would lose face in front of her class. have the floor • take the floor have the floor—speak at a meeting, in a debate, etc.: You now have the floor for the next five minutes. take the floor —1. = have the floor: Arthur was one of several House members to take the floor . 2. start dancing at a party, etc.: “Will you dance with me?” She got up and they took the floor . have the key of the street • live in the street have the key of the street—be shut out for the night with nowhere to go: We once had the key of the street for a night. We don’t know how many miles we walked before morning. live in the street—(also: live on the street) be homeless: Chil- dren who live in the street or perform activities in the street are susceptible to violence and exploitation. have the last word • say one’s last word have the last word—make the final categorical utterance in a dispute, etc.: We can all make suggestions, but the manager has the last word . say one’s last word—give one’s final offer, decision or opinion in a dispute, etc.: I’ve said my last word on this question— take it or leave it. have the pleasure of someone’s company • take pleasure in someone’s company have the pleasure of someone’s company—(formal) used when issuing invitations, etc.: May we have the pleasure of your company for lunch tonight? take pleasure in someone’s company—enjoy a person’s com- pany: I take pleasure in your company , and do my utmost to give pleasure back to you. have the rag on • lose one’s rag have the rag on—(sl., also: have the rags on) have one’s men- strual period: His wife always either had the rag on or had a headache every time he wanted to have a little fun. lose one’s rag—(sl.) lose one’s temper: Allison lost his rag with me over two goals by Leicester’s Mike Stringfellow. have the wobbly boot on • quake in one’s boots have the wobbly boot on—(Austral. sl.) be drunk: He was horrible at lying, and hopefully he wouldn’t feel the need to brag about it while he had the wobbly boot on at a bar. quake in one’s boots—(also: shake in one’s boots) be very much afraid; tremble with fear: Brandon said it was his first time singing, but he didn’t seem like he was quaking in his boots . have to go • have to go some have to go —(euph.) said when one needs to visit a restroom: “I have to go really bad!” Debbie shouted as she put her hand on her rear and jumped up and down. have to go some—one must try harder or improve perform- ance: You’ll have to go some to make your getaway now— every man on the force has your description by this time. have trouble to do something • take the trouble to do something have trouble to do something—experience serious problems or difficulties when doing smth.: People with poor vision, though not blind, have trouble to read small fonts. take the trouble to do something—make an effort to accom- plish smth.: It has been instructive to discover enthusiastic assistance available if I only take the trouble to ask. have trouble over something • take trouble over something have trouble over something—(also: have trouble with some- thing) experience serious problems or difficulties when dealing with smth.: I have trouble over my mid-morning bathes on account of passing boats. take trouble over something—(also: take trouble with some- thing) exercise care and thoroughness about smth.: The numerous finds of glass vessels show that Meroitic ladies took considerable trouble over their appearance. have two faces • wear two hats have two faces—(also: have two faces under a hood) 1. be deceitful or insincere in one’s behavior: The woman had two faces : the one she used with clients, who adored her, and an- other for the office. 2. have two different aspects: Psychiatry has two faces , one represented by treatment at the psychosocial level and the other by treatment at the pharmacologic level. Note: a) The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase be like a dog with two tails—(coll.) be extremely happy: I am not used to being home; husband is like a dog with two tails , and his excitement at having me here is starting to annoy me. b) The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase have two strings to one’s bow—have two alternative courses open: A dual honors degree has a number of advantages: When deciding on a career, you will have two strings to your bow . wear two hats—hold two official appointments at the same time; have two sets of responsibilities: Because I breed race- horses, I also am a farmer so I wear two hats . Note: The expression is not equivalent in meaning to the phrase serve two masters—be loyal to two different people, completely opposed principles, etc.: I felt I could not be effective, as a Coun- cilor should there be the perception that I was serving two masters . have word • have words have word —receive a message: After about four months, in May, we had word that this comet was going to impact Jupiter. have words —have a quarrel: Every time the two of them get together they have words . Note: The expression is not antonymous in meaning to the phrase have no words—be unable to describe or talk about smth.: We all here are quite astonished and have no words to describe the situation. head boy • principal boy head boy—(UK) a school prefect who often represents the school on public occasions: No matter how excellent may be the original disposition of the head boy , if there is no one who dare stick up to him, he soon becomes intolerable. principal boy —traditionally in Great Britain an actress, not an actor, who takes the leading male part in a pantomime: You both walked as gracefully and proudly as if you were the principal boy and girl at the Drury Lane pantomime. head hunter • skull hunter head hunter —1. a member of any tribe of savages who have the custom of decapitating human beings: A chief named Dungdong had become a notorious head-hunter . 2. (coll.) an employment agent specializing in the recruitment of skilled personnel: McCulloch had no compunction about using these recruiting firms. They were, he knew, often derisively called “head hunters .” – 171 – head hunter