Phrase guide

have someone's head

verb · 2 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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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To punish someone severely, as by sacking (firing), imprisonment, or similarly harsh penalties.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: figuratively, idiomatic

Examples

  • The boss will have his head for losing the biggest customer over a mistake.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: have someone's guts for garters, have someone's hide, tan someone's hide, amerce, castigate, chasten, chastise, come down on, correct, fix someone's wagon, have someone's head, give it to someone, give someone what for, give what for, gruel, malavogue, nail someone to the wall, penalize, penance, punish, tar out, teach someone a lesson

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To kill somebody, especially with violence and especially by decapitation.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Qualifier: literal

Examples

  • The tyrant would have their heads for their temerity.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.