have a care

English

Pronunciation

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Verb

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

1. (dated, chiefly imperative) take care; be on one's guard
   • 1874, Sarah Tytler, Lady Bell: A Story of the Last Century, page 82:

     "If I don't have a care," reflected Lady Bell in alarm, and with the crude unmincing expression of opinion which belonged to her years and her generation, "I'll soon be as great a brute as Trevor."