have one’s moments: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘have one's moments’ mean?
The idiom "have one's moments" means to have periods of time where someone's performance or behavior is impressive or notable, but it is not consistent or sustained.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "legend in one's own lunchtime" refers to a person who is only considered important or famous within a specific limited context or group, but lacks recognition or respect in a broader or more significant setting.
The idiom "laugh a minute" refers to someone or something that is consistently funny or amusing, providing frequent moments of laughter.
The idiom "have seen one's day" means that something or someone used to be great or important in the past, but is no longer relevant or valuable in the present.
The idiom *have one's wig snatched* means to be caught off guard or surprised, typically in a humiliating or embarrassing way.
The figurative meaning of "have one's wig snatched" is to be caught off guard, surprised, or embarrassed. It is often used to describe a situation in which someone is caught in an embarrassing or compromising position.
The idiom "have one's act together" means to be organized, prepared, and in control of one's life or situation.
"Have its moments" means that something has both good and bad aspects, or highlights and lowlights. It implies that the overall experience or performance is not consistently good or bad, but has certain instances or periods that stand out as particularly positive or negative.
The idiom "have had one's chips" means to be defeated or to have failed, often resulting in a negative outcome or consequence. It is commonly used to express the idea of someone being at the end of their chances or opportunities.
The idiom "have a moment" means to temporarily experience a strong emotion or be overwhelmed by a situation, often resulting in a brief pause or reflection.
The idiom "have a moment" is a versatile expression commonly used in everyday language. It can be applied in different contexts and has been used in the English language for decades.
The idiom "have a good time" means to enjoy oneself or to have an enjoyable experience.
The idiom "have a good time" is a commonly used phrase in the English language. When someone says "have a good time," they are expressing a desire for the person or people they are speaking to, to enjoy themselves and experience a positive and enjoyable experience.
The idiom "from time to time" means occasionally or at intervals, not frequently. It implies that something happens occasionally, but not on a regular basis.
"From time to time" is an English idiom that is commonly used to express intermittence or irregularity. Its meaning can be understood as "occasionally" or "every now and then." The origin and etymology of this idiom can be traced back to the early 19th century, although the exact source is uncertain.
Idiom's Flickering Brilliance
The idiom "have one's moments" is a widely understood and commonly used expression in the English language. It represents the idea that someone or something has periods of greatness, brilliance, or excellence, even if those periods are not consistent or continuous. This idiom is typically used in casual conversations, informal writing, and everyday interactions, rather than in formal or professional contexts.
One interesting fact about the idiom "have one's moments" is that it can describe individuals, things, or situations. When someone says that a person "has their moments," they are acknowledging that the person being discussed has occasions of exceptional performance or displays impressive qualities. This implies that the person has the ability to shine and stand out, even if they do not consistently excel in those areas.
Furthermore, the use of the idiom can convey both positive and negative connotations. On one hand, it is often used to highlight positive aspects or achievements. For example, when someone says, "She really has her moments," they are recognizing that the person has noteworthy successes or abilities that are worth acknowledging. This suggests that they have the potential to excel and perform exceptionally well.
On the other hand, the idiom can also be used ironically or sarcastically to suggest that someone or something has flaws or shortcomings alongside their occasional successes. In this context, the idiom implies that the person or thing being discussed has moments of brilliance or excellence, but these are overshadowed by their overall performance or characteristics that are not as impressive. It adds a layer of complexity to the description, highlighting the contrast between their moments of greatness and their overall performance.
This brings us to the related idioms that are connected to "have one's moments." One such idiom is "have its moments." This idiom is similar in meaning to "have one's moments," but it specifically refers to things or situations rather than individuals. When someone says that something "has its moments," they are acknowledging that the thing or situation has periods of brilliance, excellence, or greatness, even if these moments are not consistent or continuous.
For example, if someone watches a movie and says, "It had its moments," they are recognizing that the movie had scenes or aspects that were particularly impressive or enjoyable, despite not maintaining that level of excellence throughout. This conveys that the movie had exceptional moments that stood out, even if the overall experience may have had its flaws or shortcomings.
Another related idiom is "have a moment." This idiom is similar in structure to "have one's moments," but it has a slightly different meaning. When someone says that a person or thing "has a moment," they are referring to a specific, brief period of time where the person or thing stands out or excels.
For example, if someone says, "She had a moment on the stage," they are acknowledging that the person had a specific, noteworthy moment of brilliance or exceptional performance during that particular instance on the stage. This emphasizes that the person's excellence was limited to that specific moment or performance, rather than being consistently maintained.
The final related idiom is "at times." This idiom is used to describe situations or behaviors that occur occasionally or intermittently. When someone says that something happens "at times," they are indicating that it occurs from time to time, but not consistently or continuously.
For example, if someone says, "He can be difficult at times," they are acknowledging that the person can exhibit difficult or challenging behaviors on occasion, but not constantly. This suggests that the person's difficult behavior is not the norm, but rather something that occurs sporadically.
The idiom "have one's moments" is commonly used in the English language to describe individuals, things, or situations that have periods of brilliance, excellence, or greatness. It is a versatile expression that can convey both positive and negative connotations. Additionally, it is related to idioms such as "have its moments," "have a moment," and "at times," which provide further nuance and variations in meaning. These idioms allow for a more nuanced understanding of the concept of having moments of greatness or excellence.
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom "have one's moments" can be used in a sentence:
1. Sarah is a great singer, she may not be consistent, but she definitely has her moments.
2. The team may not have won the game, but the star player had his moments of brilliance.
3. The movie was just okay overall, but it had its moments of comedic genius.
More "Usage" idioms
