have up
C2Formal / Legal
Definition
Meaning
To be formally summoned or brought before an authority, typically a court or police, to face an accusation or charge.
To be required to appear for a disciplinary or official hearing; to be formally accused or indicted.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
This is a separable phrasal verb with a passive orientation. The subject is typically the person accused. It is most commonly used in the passive voice ('be had up'). It implies a degree of formality and seriousness in the accusation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The phrase is far more common and idiomatic in British English. In American English, equivalent terms like 'charged with', 'indicted', 'arraigned', or 'hauled into court' are preferred. 'Have up' in this legal sense is very rare in AmE.
Connotations
In BrE, it can sometimes carry a slightly informal or journalistic tone despite its formal context. In AmE, if used, it would likely be misunderstood or sound archaic.
Frequency
High frequency in BrE legal/news contexts; very low to zero in AmE standard usage.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Person] was had up (for [offence])[Authority] had [Person] up (for [offence])Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “had up on a trumped-up charge”
- “had up before the beak (archaic/slang)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Might be used in the context of regulatory or compliance hearings.
Academic
Rare, except in legal or socio-legal studies discussing British judicial processes.
Everyday
Used in British news reports and informal conversation about legal trouble.
Technical
Primarily a legal/journalistic term in British English.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- If you're not careful, you'll be had up for vandalism.
- The police had him up for questioning about the missing funds.
American English
- He was indicted on fraud charges. (AmE equivalent)
- She was hauled into court over the dispute. (AmE equivalent)
Examples
By CEFR Level
- He was had up in court for speeding.
- The local businessman was had up on charges of tax evasion, much to the surprise of the community.
- You could be had up for that if the authorities find out.
- Despite his public profile, the MP was had up before the magistrates for a minor public order offence.
- The activists were had up under the new protest laws, setting a worrying legal precedent.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine someone being HAVEd to get UP from their seat and stand before a judge.
Conceptual Metaphor
LEGAL ACCUSATION IS A SUMMONS UPWARDS (to a higher authority/bench).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate literally as 'иметь вверх'. The phrase is idiomatic.
- Confusing it with 'have had it up to here' (which expresses annoyance).
- Mistaking it for the causative 'have someone up' (as a guest).
Common Mistakes
- Using it actively without a clear object (e.g., 'He had up for fraud' is incorrect; 'He was had up for fraud' is correct).
- Using it in American English where it is not idiomatic.
- Confusing it with 'hold up' (to delay or rob).
Practice
Quiz
In which variety of English is the phrasal verb 'have up' (meaning to be charged) most commonly used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but less commonly. The active form requires an object (the authority having someone up). E.g., 'The police had him up for theft.' The passive ('He was had up...') is more frequent.
It occupies a middle ground. It is standard in British newspapers and legal reporting, but can sound slightly informal or colloquial compared to 'charged' or 'summoned'.
The biggest mistake is using it in American English contexts where it sounds unnatural. Learners should use 'charged with', 'indicted', or 'arraigned' in AmE.
Primarily, yes. It can also be used for serious disciplinary hearings (e.g., 'had up before the school governors'), but it always implies a formal, accusatory process with potential consequences.