have the law of
To take legal action against someone.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“If he refuses to pay, I will have the law of him.”
“After the neighbor damaged my fence and ignored my calls, I decided to have the law of him.”
“The landlord breached the contract so flagrantly that the tenants felt they had no choice but to have the law of him in court.”
- 01
lay down the law
To authoritatively or dogmatically assert what is permitted or not permitted.
- 02
lemon law
A law dealing with defective items, especially automobiles, and the rights of consumers.
- 03
long arm of the law
The influence or effectiveness of law enforcement institutions; law enforcement officers collectively.
- 04
one's word is law
One's requests or orders must be fulfilled.
- 05
take the law into one's own hands
To punish someone according to one's own idea of justice, without consideration for the role of law enforcement authorities.
Last updated August 10, 2026