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3. be had

be had

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be had

To be deluded, tricked, swindled, or outsmarted. (Always used in the past tense.) I was had by that insurance salesmen. Now we're paying twice as much for a plan that, in reality, doesn't cover anything! I think you were had, my friend. That car is a complete piece of junk. The master chess player was had in the end by the young prodigy.

be had

1. Be outwitted; also, be cheated, deceived. For example, This lawyer is a real shyster; you've been had, or I've become very cautious about these schemes; it's too costly to be had more than once . This expression employs the verb to have in the sense of getting someone in one's power or at a disadvantage. [Slang; early 1800s]

2. Be bribed or influenced by dishonest means. For example, Our senator's incorruptible; he cannot be had. [Slang; early 1800s]