# have against

CEFR B1 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/have-against
Updated: 2026-04-24

## Definition

to have a specific reason for disliking or not trusting someone or something.

For teachers: to hold a grudge or possess a specific reason for hostility or prejudice toward a person or entity; typically used in interrogative or negative constructions.

## Examples

- I don't know what you have against my brother.
- The manager seems to have something against me because he never approves my holiday requests.
- It remains unclear what the committee could possibly have against the proposal, given that it meets every single budgetary requirement they previously established.

## Pitfalls

- Not "What do you have against to him?" but "What do you have against him?" — the preposition 'against' is followed directly by the object without 'to'.

## Usage notes

- usually requires an object (like 'something', 'nothing', or 'what') between 'have' and 'against'.
- Teaching tip: point out that this is almost always used with 'what', 'something', 'anything', or 'nothing' to quantify the level of dislike.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.