have done with: Idiom Meaning and Origin

What does ‘have done with’ mean?

The idiom "have done with" means to finish or complete something and have no further involvement or connection with it.

Idiom Explorer

Unveiling the Essence

The idiom "have done with" is a frequently used expression in English. It has a rich history, dating back to the late 16th century. The term "done," in this context, is a past participle of the verb "do," meaning to perform an action or complete a task. When someone says they want to "have done with" something, it implies a sense of finality or completion, indicating that they are finished with it.

This idiom is often used when someone wants to end or discontinue an activity, relationship, or situation. It conveys impatience or frustration, expressing the need to move on or put an end to something. For instance, someone might say, "I've had enough of this argument, let's just have done with it." Here, the idiom signifies a desire to bring the argument to a close and move forward.

The project is finally finished, done, over, through.

"Have done with" can also express resignation or acceptance, particularly when there is no control over the outcome. It acknowledges the inevitability of a circumstance and implies a willingness to accept it and move forward. For example, someone might say, "I can't change the past, so I'll just have done with it and focus on the future."

It's important to note that "have done with" is distinct from other similar expressions like "be done with" or "be through with." While these phrases have a similar meaning, "have done with" specifically emphasizes taking action and completing a task or situation.

Let's explore a few related idioms to broaden our understanding of "have done with." One related idiom is "done and dusted." This idiom signifies the completion of a task or activity. It is often used to indicate that something has been finished successfully or thoroughly. Another related idiom is "have had it." This phrase expresses a sense of being fed up or no longer willing to tolerate something. It implies that one has reached a breaking point and is ready to move on. Yet another related idiom is "done deal." This idiom is used to describe a situation or agreement that is final and irrevocable. It suggests that there is no further negotiation or discussion required. Lastly, "come to an end" is another related idiom. This phrase expresses the idea that something has reached its conclusion or finished.

Overall, "have done with" captures the concept of finality and completion. It is frequently used to express the desire to end or discontinue something, whether out of frustration, impatience, or resignation. With its long history and continued usage, "have done with" remains a relevant and powerful idiom in contemporary language.

Example usage

1) I am ready to have done with this project. This sentence shows that the speaker wants to finish the project and move on to something else.

2) Let's have done with all these arguments and find a solution. In this example, the speaker is suggesting that they should stop arguing and focus on finding a solution.

3) After years of studying, she was finally done with exams. This sentence indicates that the person has finished taking exams after a long period of studying.

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