Phrase guide

have one's way

verb · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • Australia: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To obtain the circumstances one wishes for; to do what one wishes to do, or to have others do what one wishes them to do.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: get one's way

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To achieve a desired or natural result.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

To have sexual intercourse with, especially without the consent of one's partner.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: euphemistic

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

19 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 如願以償 /如愿以偿 (rúyuànyǐcháng) — to obtain the circumstances one wishes for
  • Chinese Mandarin: 隨心所欲 /随心所欲 (suíxīnsuǒyù) — to obtain the circumstances one wishes for
  • Danish: få sin vilje — to obtain the circumstances one wishes for
  • Finnish: saada tahtonsa läpi — to obtain the circumstances one wishes for
  • Italian: averla vinta — to obtain the circumstances one wishes for
  • Polish: stawiać na swoim — to obtain the circumstances one wishes for
  • Polish: postawić na swoim — to obtain the circumstances one wishes for
  • Polish: dopinać swego — to obtain the circumstances one wishes for
  • Polish: dopiąć swego — to obtain the circumstances one wishes for
  • Spanish: salirse con la suya — to obtain the circumstances one wishes for
  • Spanish: salir con la suya — to obtain the circumstances one wishes for
  • Spanish: hacer de las suyas — to obtain the circumstances one wishes for
  • Chinese Mandarin: 達到目的 /达到目的 (dádào mùdì) — to achieve a desired or natural result
  • Chinese Mandarin: 水到渠成 (shuǐdàoqúchéng) — to achieve a desired or natural result
  • Finnish: tehdä tehtävänsä — to achieve a desired or natural result
  • Polish: stawiać na swoim — to achieve a desired or natural result
  • Polish: postawić na swoim — to achieve a desired or natural result
  • Polish: dopinać swego — to achieve a desired or natural result
  • Polish: dopiąć swego — to achieve a desired or natural result