had

(The auxiliary verb is pronounced [[t]həd, STRONG hæd[/t]]. For the main verb, and for the meanings 2 to 5, the pronunciation is [[t]hæ̱d[/t]].)

1) Had is the past tense and past participle of have.

2) AUX Had is sometimes used instead of `if' to begin a clause which refers to a situation that might have happened but did not. For example, the clause `had he been elected' means the same as `if he had been elected'.

[AUX n -ed] Had he succeeded, he would have acquired a monopoly...

[AUX n -ed] Had I known what the problem was, we could have addressed it.

3) PHRASE: be inflects If you have been had, someone has tricked you, for example by selling you something at too high a price. [INFORMAL]

If your customer thinks he's been had, you have to make him happy.

4) PHRASE: AUX inflects If you say that someone has had it, you mean they are in very serious trouble or have no hope of succeeding. [INFORMAL]

Unless she loses some weight, she's had it...

He wants actors who can speak Welsh. Obviously I've had it.

5) PHRASE: AUX inflects If you say that you have had it, you mean that you are very tired of something or very annoyed about it, and do not want to continue doing it or it to continue happening. [INFORMAL]

I've had it. Let's call it a day...

I've had it with that kind of treatment of Americans.