have it out

have it out (third-person singular simple present has it out, present participle having it out, simple past and past participle had it out)

1. To argue in order to air or resolve a conflict.

   I've been unhappy about her behaviour for some time, and last night we finally had it out.

2. To confront (someone) with a view to settling a conflict. [with with]

   I'm not standing for this. I'm going to go and have it out with her right now.

   • 1914, Jack London, chapter XLV, in The Mutiny of the Elsinore, New York: The Macmillan Company, page 324:

     For twenty-four hours after my talk with Margaret I was on pins and needles to have it out with him, yet rather than have had it out with him I should have preferred to see the poop rushed by the gang from the other side.

   • 2025 September 24, “Conflict of Interest”, in South Park, season 27, episode 5, spoken by Cartman:

     Hey, have you guys heard about Kyle’s mom? Man, that bitch has it out for Palestine, let me tell you. Well, I don’t know, I would just hate to be a Palestinian hospital, that’s all I can say.

• “have it out”, in Lexico, Dictionary.com; Oxford University Press, 2019–2022.