long remembered: This latest scandal has legs —you’ll prob- ably still be reading about it in a year’s time. have a long arm • make a long arm have a long arm—have a far-reaching power: The Sheriff may have only had control of his county, but with his con- nections, he had a long arm . make a long arm —(coll.) reach out one’s arm after smth.: I got up and made a long arm for the telephone. have a mind of one’s own • know one’s own mind have a mind of one’s own—have an independent opinion: The real offence, as she ultimately perceived, was her having a mind of her own at all. Her mind was to be his—attached to his own like a small garden-plot… know one’s own mind—know what one prefers or wants: Babette seemed to be one of those poor creatures that always hang on the words of someone else, not knowing her own mind , being fearful of failure. have a new lease of life • make a new life for oneself have a new lease of life—find new enthusiasm and energy (after a period of illness or sadness): I’m able to do much more which is absolutely great and I have a new lease of life . make a new life for oneself—move to another place, change one’s career, etc., especially to recover from an unpleasant experience: After the divorce she moved to Buckingham to make a new life for herself . have a pied-à-terre • have one’s feet on the ground have a pied-à-terre—(Fr.) have an extra room or house which one keeps for use when needed: Ian makes regular visits to Tuscany and to the island of Mallorca where he has a pied- à-terre . have one’s feet on the ground—(also: have both feet on the ground) have a sensible and realistic attitude to life: The book is written by a thoughtful, sensitive man who, nevertheless, has his feet on the ground . have a pull with someone • have the pull of someone have a pull with someone—(coll.) have influence with a per- son, especially smb. in a high position: He has a strong pull with the Managing Director. have the pull of someone—(coll.) have an advantage over a person (also: have the pull over someone): That’s where a gen- tleman has the pull of you. He doesn’t get excited. No gen- tleman does—or hardly ever. have a quick one • pull a fast one have a quick one —(sl.) 1. have a drink before one does smth. else: We had a quick one and admired the bar, then left and had a wander around the town center. 2. said of a brief and brisk sex act: I guess I’d been upstairs long enough for him to think I’d had a quick one off with the girl. pull a fast one—(sl.) cheat or deceive a person: I signed a contract on a house, and I think my realtor pulled a fast one on me. have a resemblance to something • have a semblance of something have a resemblance to something—(also: bear a resemblance to something ) seem similar to smth. else, especially in external appearance: You walk into the water park through an entrance gate that has a resemblance to a beach hut. have a semblance of something—(also: bear a semblance of something ) have a slight, superficial and often deceptive sim- ilarity to smth.: Although the book has a semblance of schol- arship, a careful examination will reveal many errors and omis- sions. have a rough time • rough it in the bush have a rough time—experiecnce difficulties or suffer for a period of time: Carter said he had a rough time on his summer tour because he injured his knee. rough it in the bush—(also: rough it) live for a period of time without the usual comforts and conveniences: On a safari you can stay at some of the finest hotels and you can also rough it in the bush . have a run • have the runs have a run—1. make an outing or a short journey in a car, etc.: If it’s fine to-morrow we’ll have a run in the new car. 2. have a tear in a knitted garment: I had an awful ladder in my stocking … I scarcely ever have a run now. have the runs—(coll.) have diarrhea: My cat had the runs a while ago. You have to give him a special human quality diet for a while. have a run of something • have the run of something have a run of something—enjoy a period of some condition or state of things: We have had a long-continued run of the loveliest weather. have the run of something—have permission to use smth. freely: While his parents are in Florida each winter, Charles has the run of the house. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase keep the run of something—keep oneself informed about smth.: Now, Mr. Drummond, I have kept the run of your affairs more closely than you bargained for. have a say • have the say have a say —1. (also: have a voice) have the right or the oppor- tunity to give one’s opinion: People want to have a say in how the country should be governed. 2. give one’s opinion on a matter: The 75-year-old Rossi announced he would be leaving … and he has had a say in who his successor will be. have the say—have the power of deciding; have the final authority: We keep giving recommendations but at the end of the day—who has the say ? It’s the government. have a screw loose • there is a screw loose have a screw loose —(coll.) be mentally defective or not acting normally: I don’t go much with anarchists. It’s my judgment they nearly always have a screw loose . there is a screw loose —(coll.) there is smth. wrong in the con- dition of things: Now this may come into court, you know. If there is a screw loose anywhere, better mention it. Note: Neither expression is antonymous in meaning to the phrase tighten up screws—1. suppress or “clamp down” on dis- senters, etc.: The president is using Russo-American rapproche- ment as a smokescreen for tightening up screws at home. 2. apply pressure; make smth. subject to more severe control: Dellinger believed the victory was a result of his team tight - ening up screws on defense. have a swelled head • have a thick head have a swelled head—(also: have a big head) have an exag- gerated opinion of oneself; be self-conceited: Everybody over forty is tired and down and out, and everybody under thirty has swelled head . have a thick head —(coll.) 1. be dull of intellect: You could have worked that out for yourselves if you hadn’t such thick heads . 2. have an aching head (suffering from a hangover): No more brandy, thanks. I’ll have a thick enough head as it is. have a long arm – 164 –