Definition of: "have designs on" with explanation and origin

Definition of: have designs on with explanation and origin? Meaning of have designs on with examples in English idiom dictionary.

English	English

Definition of: "have designs on" with explanation and origin

have designs on

have designs on

Meaning

1. to have a plan or secret desire to get something.
2. contrive a secret plot or scheme, especially with selfish motives.
3. to want a sexual relationship or want to date someone.
4. make a secret plot or scheme, usually with selfish intentions.
5. to pursue something or someone for selfish reasons.
6. take someone or something for yourself.

Examples in Sentences

1. I knew he had designs on my job the first time I saw him.
2. I can see you have designs on Anna.
3. The thieves had designs on the marchioness’ jewellery.
4. Agatha has designs on Jimmy, and she plans to marry him soon.
5. France has had designs on Belgium’s territory from the beginning.
6. I think she has designs on my science project for the purpose of showing me down.

Origin

The phrase “to have designs on” or “to have a design on” comes from the term “design.” In the 1580s, the word “design” was used to mean “a scheme or plan in the mind.” In 1704, it was used to mean an intention to act in some particular way, mainly used to mean to do something harmful or illegal.

The meaning is more closely related to the Italian verb disegnare, which became popular in the 16th century.

The word “disegnare” was used to mean “to plot, contrive, or intend.” This led to the negative connotation behind the phrase “have designs on.”

The Origins of have designs on

English

Related Dictionary

• English Definition & Meaning Dictionary
• English Idioms and phrases Dictionary
• Dictionnaire Français
• Dictionnaire d'expressions idiomatiques et de phrases en français

Read more

• Definition of "in bed with" in English?
• Definition of "foot in the door" in English?
• Definition of "blank check" in English?
• Definition of "not have a clue" in English?
• Definition of "in the pink" in English?
• Definition of "on the line" in English?
• Definition of "easier said than done" in English?
• Definition of "have designs on" in English?
• Definition of "faint of heart" in English?
• Definition of "cross paths" in English?
• Definition of "all the way up" in English?
• Definition of "child’s play" in English?
• Definition of "the other side of the coin" in English?
• Definition of "between the devil and the deep blue sea" in English?
• Definition of "lights are on but nobody is home" in English?
• Definition of "hit the hay" in English?
• Definition of "hit the sack" in English?
• Definition of "on the blink" in English?
• Definition of "hand in hand" in English?
• Definition of "light of one’s life" in English?

English Idioms and phrases

An idiom is a common word or phrase with a figurative, non-literal meaning that is understood culturally and differs from what its composite words' denotations would suggest; i.e. the words together have a meaning that is different from the dictionary definitions of the individual words (although some idioms do retain their literal meanings – see the example "kick the bucket" below). By another definition, an idiom is a speech form or an expression of a given language that is peculiar to itself grammatically or cannot be understood from the individual meanings of its elements.[3] For example, an English speaker would understand the phrase "kick the bucket" to mean "to die" – and also to actually kick a bucket. Furthermore, they would understand when each meaning is being used in context.

To evoke the desired effect in the listener, idioms require a precise replication of the phrase: not even articles can be used interchangeably (e.g. "kick a bucket" only retains the literal meaning of the phrase but not the idiomatic meaning).

Idioms should not be confused with other figures of speech such as metaphors, which evoke an image by use of implicit comparisons (e.g., "the man of steel"); similes, which evoke an image by use of explicit comparisons (e.g., "faster than a speeding bullet"); or hyperbole, which exaggerates an image beyond truthfulness (e.g., "more powerful than a locomotive"). Idioms are also not to be confused with proverbs, which are simple sayings that express a truth based on common sense or practical experience.