have something down
Meaning(s)
1. be proficient at doing something or understand it fully
Popularity
High
Professional
High
Social
How to Memorize
practice something so that you have it down
Analysis
To 'have something down' means to have something accomplished or to be proficient in or knowledgable about something. This is an informal colloquial phrase used more often in social contexts.
Social Examples (Advance)
- Every time I try to bake something it turns out to be a disaster. You'd think that after all my previous attempts I would have it down by now!
- As soon as I have my theory test down I am going to take my driving test.
Professional Examples (Advance)
- I kept practicing my sales pitch so that I had it down before I spoke at the conference.
- John is struggling to get to grips with the task of migrating the data from the old system to the new one. I told him not to worry - he'll have it down in a few days.