let him have it

USAGE SUMMARY

"let him have it" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an informal phrase used to mean "allow or permit someone to have something". Depending on the context, it can be used when you want to grant permission or when you are offering something to someone else. For example: "I don't need this old t-shirt anymore, so let him have it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The crowd let him have it.

The New York Times

Just let him have it.

The Washington Post

"Let him have it," Rodriguez said.

The New York Times

Suddenly, Zalaznick let him have it.

The New York Times - Magazine

Manchester United may not let him have it.

The New York Times - Sports

"I let him have it," Mr. Burchett said.

The New York Times

If he wants approval that much, let him have it.

The New Yorker

Djokovic isn't going to let him have it easily.

The Guardian - Sport

"If he enjoys it, let him have it".

The New York Times

He is very proud of the fact that "he let him have it".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Overheard on the corner of Fifth Avenue and Fifty-third: "So I brought out all my big artillery and really let him have it--both barrels".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "let him have it" to mean attacking verbally, be mindful of your audience and the situation. It's an informal expression, so it's best suited for casual contexts or when you want to add emphasis to a strong rebuke.

Common error

Avoid using "let him have it" in formal writing where a more precise and less colloquial expression is needed. For example, in a legal document, you wouldn't write, "The lawyer really let him have it" but rather, "The lawyer delivered a scathing rebuke."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "let him have it" is as an idiomatic expression. It functions as a verbal phrase within a sentence, conveying either the act of granting possession or expressing strong disapproval. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is deemed grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Wiki

20%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "let him have it" is a versatile idiomatic expression that, according to Ludwig, is grammatically correct and usable in written English. As shown by Ludwig's examples, it conveys two primary meanings: granting someone something they desire or expressing strong disapproval. Its usage is most frequent in news and media contexts, as well as informal settings like wikis. While versatile, it's best to avoid this informal expression in formal writing or professional contexts. Alternatives like "he can have it" or "allow him to possess it" may be more appropriate in those situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he can have it

A simpler, more direct way of offering something.

it's his

States outright ownership or permission to own.

give it to him

Focuses on the act of giving something, potentially with force or intensity.

hand it over to him

Implies a transfer of something, often under duress or instruction.

let him take possession of it

Focuses on the action of taking ownership with permission.

allow him to possess it

A more formal way of saying to give permission to own something.

permit him to receive it

Emphasizes the permission aspect of allowing someone to get something.

grant him access to it

Highlights the act of providing access rather than outright ownership.

relinquish it to him

Suggests giving something up willingly.

cede it to him

Formal and implies yielding something, often a right or territory.

FAQs

How can I use "let him have it" in a sentence?

You can use "let him have it" to mean either giving someone something they want or to express anger and scold someone. For instance, "Since you like this toy, I'll "let him have it"" or "She was so angry, she really "let him have it"."

What does it mean to "let someone have it"?

To "let someone have it" can mean either to allow someone to possess something or to express anger and reprimand someone severely. The context usually indicates which meaning is intended.

What can I say instead of "let him have it" when offering something?

When offering something, you can use alternatives like "he can have it", "it's his", or "allow him to possess it" depending on the level of formality you want to achieve.

What's the difference between "let him have it" and "give it to him"?

"Let him have it" often implies permission or allowance, while "give it to him" is a more direct way to describe the act of transferring possession. Also, "let him have it" is the only one that can mean attacking verbally.