had me going

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had me going" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express that someone was deceived or misled, often in a lighthearted or humorous way. Example: "At first, I thought he was serious about quitting his job, but then he laughed and said he was just joking. He really had me going!"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

"Sure, of course — he would have aged, too!" This encounter had me going in circles.

The New Yorker

"You mean they sound authentic?" "I mean he had me going today.

The New Yorker

"It's clearly a standard roll that has inverted". That had me going for a minute.

The Guardian - Sport

"Manhattan's minority constituent" had me going for a while, and I admit that I was stuck on the island rather than the drink.

The New York Times

He said that the Hardy Boys "had me going to the dictionary once or twice, and that wasn't a bad thing".

The New York Times - Books

"I knew something was wrong with the computerized counter because it had me going at 40 miles an hour when I knew I was doing 10 or 11.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

A glistening, sprightly "Gotta Have Me Go With You," from "A Star Is Born," pulled the song out from under the shadow of "The Man That Got Away".

The New York Times - Arts

A. I used to work in a flower shop, and the lady who ran it had me go through hoops.

The New York Times

George had me go door to door to ask the owners of buildings on the block to get the city to plant trees.

The New York Times

"He gave me his last $8,000 and had me go buy a demo machine," Gores says.

Forbes

While we were in Los Angeles, they had me go out on a few auditions.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the tone and audience when using "had me going". It is generally appropriate for informal and conversational settings.

Common error

Avoid using "had me going" in situations where the deception or confusion caused significant harm or distress. It's more suitable for mild or amusing scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had me going" functions as an idiomatic expression, typically acting as the predicate of a sentence. It indicates that someone was temporarily deceived, confused, or strongly affected by something. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Vice

15%

Huffington Post

15%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the idiomatic expression "had me going" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that indicates someone was temporarily deceived, confused, or strongly affected by something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It's generally used in neutral contexts, particularly in news and media, and is suitable for expressing reactions to surprising or amusing situations. While not highly formal, it's a common way to share experiences and connect with others. Alternatives like ""had me fooled"" or ""had me tricked"" can be used to emphasize the deception aspect. Overall, it's a versatile phrase for expressing mild surprise or amusement in everyday communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had me fooled

Focuses specifically on the deception aspect.

had me tricked

Similar to 'fooled', but emphasizes a deliberate act.

had me confused

Highlights the element of mental disorientation.

had me believing

Emphasizes the acceptance of something untrue.

had me second-guessing

Indicates a state of doubt and re-evaluation.

had me wondering

Highlights curiosity and uncertainty.

had me thinking

Focuses on the induced thought process.

had me captivated

Implies strong interest or attention.

had me engrossed

Similar to 'captivated', but suggests deeper involvement.

had me spellbound

Suggests a magical or enchanting effect.

FAQs

What does "had me going" mean?

The phrase "had me going" means someone was temporarily deceived, confused, or misled, often in a lighthearted or humorous way.

What's a similar phrase to "had me going"?

Alternatives include "had me fooled", "had me tricked", or "had me confused", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "had me going" formal or informal?

"Had me going" is generally considered an informal expression, best suited for casual conversations and less formal writing.

How can I use "had me going" in a sentence?

You can say, "I thought he was serious about quitting, he really "had me going"!" or "The magician's trick "had me going"; I couldn't figure out how he did it!"