have at

verb

1. archaic.
   intr, preposition to make an opening attack on, esp in fencing

Idioms and Phrases

Attack; also, make an attempt at. For example, Urging the dog on, he said , “ Go on, Rover, have at him ,” or It's time to have at straightening out these files . [Late 1300s]

Example Sentences

The old copy has it, Enter Have-at-all; but it is an obvious error of the press.

From Project Gutenberg

A sort of hot, prickly, 'have-at-thee-villain' sort of thing; must be frightfully exhausting!

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• challenge
• contend
• contest
• contradict
• deny
• discuss
• disprove
• doubt
• quarrel
• rebut
• refute
• wrangle