The car had had it

AlexAD · Feb 10, 2012

Hello.

The OALD gives us that example as a way of saying that the car had become unable to be repaired. If I want to say that the end is about to reach the car but haven't yet reached it, can I say, 'The car is having had it' (I don't think it is correct). What else would you say in this context?

Thanks, Alex.

5jj · Feb 10, 2012

AlexAD said:
The car is having had it

We can't say anything like that. We'd have to use different words completely: The car is on its way out/dying/on its last legs, ...'

BobK · Feb 10, 2012

:up: A useful idiom in this sort of case is 'its days are numbered'. (In its original biblical context everyone's 'days are numbered' ['God knows how long they've got to live' - and arguments about predestination should be sent to /dev/null ;-), but now it means 'it's about to die'.)

b

JarekSteliga · Feb 12, 2012

AlexAD said:
Hello.

The OALD gives us that example as a way of saying that the car had become unable to be repaired. If I want to say that the end is about to reach the car but haven't yet reached it, can I say, 'The car is having had it' (I don't think it is correct). What else would you say in this context?

Thanks, Alex.

I am NOT a teacher

How about: "The car is beyond repair"?

5jj · Feb 12, 2012

JarekSteliga said:
How about: "The car is beyond repair"?

That suggests that is has completely had it.

susiedq · Feb 12, 2012

"The car has had it" is OK.

It means it has reached the end of its use.

Many a parent has said, "I've had it" to their teenager.

They have also reached their end. :lol:

JMurray · Feb 13, 2012

I've often heard and almost certainly said something like this:
"This car's/shirt's/can opener's nearly had it".

not a teacher

BobK · Feb 13, 2012

5jj said:
...beyond repair....[/quoteThat suggests that is has completely had it.

Click to expand...

:up:
In which case, two informal synonyms are 'clapped out' and 'knackered'. If it's wrecked, it's a 'write-off' (not so informal. although in the verbal use it is informal: 'He wrote his car off')

b

JMurray · Feb 13, 2012

In Aust/NZ, BobK's suggestions "clapped out", "knackered" and "a write off" are common for cars and engines.
Also:
"totally/completely/severely stuffed"
"gone bung" (not so common now)
"carked it" (= died) usually of people but also cars, computers etc:
a) "How's that 72 Falcon of yours?".
b) "No good mate, she's finally carked it".

… and there's an old NZ expression, "pukarooed" ("u" as in but).

not a teacher

The car had had it

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