have had one’s chips: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘have had one's chips’ mean?
The idiom "have had one's chips" means to be defeated or to have failed, often resulting in a negative outcome or consequence. It is commonly used to express the idea of someone being at the end of their chances or opportunities.
Idiom Explorer
When the chips are down means when a situation becomes extremely difficult or a crucial moment arrives, often referring to a time when one's fate or success is at stake.
The idiom "hit the buffers" means to reach a point of failure or complete downfall, often used to describe a sudden end or setback in one's progress or plans.
The idiom "have it coming" means to deserve or expect something, usually negative, as a consequence of one's actions or behavior.
The idiom "have had it up to here" means being extremely frustrated or fed up with something. It signifies reaching a limit or threshold of tolerance.
The idiom "have had it" means to be completely fed up, exhausted, or at the limit with a situation or person.
The idiom "have done with" means to finish or complete something and have no further involvement or connection with it.
The idiom "hand someone his hat" means to defeat or humiliate someone decisively.
The idiom "goose is cooked" means that a person or situation is in a dire or hopeless position, with no chance of escape or success.
The idiom "get the chop" means to be fired or dismissed from a job or position.
The idiom "get one's fingers burnt" means to suffer negative consequences or experience a setback due to one's own actions or decisions. It implies getting physically or metaphorically hurt or harmed as a result of taking a risk or involving oneself in a dangerous or risky situation.
Uncovering Context Through Linguistic Analysis
have had it, cash in one's chips, and when the chips are down are three related idioms that share a common theme of reaching a point of no return or experiencing a significant setback or failure. These idiomatic expressions can be used interchangeably with have had one's chips to convey a sense of finality and permanent loss.
The phrase "have had it" is an idiomatic expression used to indicate that someone or something is completely finished or beyond repair. It suggests that there is no possibility of recovery or redemption. This expression can be applied to various situations, including personal failures, broken objects, or unsuccessful endeavors.
The idiom "cash in one's chips" is another way to express the idea of reaching the end or experiencing a major setback. It originated from the game of poker, where players exchange their chips or tokens for money when they decide to leave the game. In a figurative sense, cash in one's chips implies that a person or thing has reached a point where there is no chance of success or improvement.
When the chips are down is yet another related idiom that signifies a critical or challenging situation. It suggests that when circumstances become difficult or unfavorable, true character is revealed. This expression emphasizes the importance of resilience, determination, and the ability to overcome adversity.
These related idioms have their roots in different contexts and historical references, but they share a thematic connection of irreversible loss, failure, and the absence of any possibility of redemption or recovery. While have had one's chips specifically refers to a gambling metaphor, all three idioms are widely used in everyday language, literature, films, and other forms of media to express similar ideas.
Idioms such as have had it, cash in one's chips, and when the chips are down all convey a sense of finality, permanence, and irretrievable loss. These idiomatic expressions highlight the human experience of reaching a point of no return or suffering a significant setback or failure. Whether used in discussions about personal failures, broken objects, or challenging situations, these idioms serve as cautionary tales and reminders of the importance of resilience and determination in the face of adversity.
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom have had one's chips can be used in a sentence:
1. After failing to meet the deadline multiple times, the employee had his chips and was fired from the company.
2. The injured athlete realized his career was over when the doctor told him he had had his chips.
3. When the company went bankrupt, the investors had to accept that they had their chips and had lost all their money.
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