have words

present singular third person has words · participle present having words · participle past had words · past had words · alternative have some words

1. idiomaticTo argue, to have an argument.

   "It's no treat to me to 'and the dishes when the atmosphere's what you might call electric. . . ." "Did they have words?" Parker shook his head impatiently. "That sort don't have words, Ellen. They just sit and goggle."

   1920, P. G. Wodehouse, chapter 2, in The Little Warrior

2. idiomaticTo speak sternly, angrily, or in an argumentative manner to.

   "This man is highly irresponsible," a spokeswoman tells the Post. "We definitely want to have words with him."

   2003 December 18, Martin Wainwright, “Happy Chip on a natural high”, in guardian.co.uk, retrieved 24 Aug 2010

   2 more examples

   Clare was for a while protected by the man's unreadiness to have words with his brother, who always took his wife's part.

   1890, George MacDonald, chapter 47, in A Rough Shaking

   Gratton has had a series of meetings with Toros president John F. Bassett since he quit the Blues last week after having words with coach Garry Young.

   1975 December 8, “Gratton, Toros talk”, in Ottawa Citizen, retrieved 24 Aug 2010