Dictionary of American idioms. 2013.
Had rather — Rather Rath er (r[a^][th] [ e]r; 277), adv. [AS. hra[eth]or, compar. of hra[eth]e, hr[ae][eth]e, quickly, immediately. See {Rath}, a.] [1913 Webster] 1. Earlier; sooner; before. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] Thou shalt, quod he, be rather false than I.… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Had rather — Had Had (h[a^]d), imp. & p. p. of {Have}. [OE. had, hafde, hefde, AS. h[ae]fde.] See {Have}. [1913 Webster] {Had as lief}, {Had rather}, {Had better}, {Had as soon}, etc., with a nominative and followed by the infinitive without to, are well… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
had\ rather — • had rather • had sooner v To choose to (do one thing instead of another thing); like better to; would prefer to. Used with an infinitive without to . My aunt invited me to the movies, but I said I had rather go on a picnic with the girls. I had … Словарь американских идиом
had rather — ► had rather literary or archaic would rather. Main Entry: ↑rather … English terms dictionary
had rather — phrasal see had liefer * * * had rather Would prefer • • • Main Entry: ↑have * * * would rather I had rather not see him … Useful english dictionary
had rather — or[had sooner] {v.} To choose to (do one thing instead of another thing); like better to; would prefer to. Used with an infinitive without to . * /My aunt invited me to the movies, but I said I had rather go on a picnic with the girls./ * /I had… … Dictionary of American idioms
had rather — See had better, had rather … Dictionary of problem words and expressions
had better, had rather — Had better is widely used in giving advice or issuing a mild threat: We had better get started before midnight. You had better apologize to me for that remark. The phrase had best can be substituted for had better in such expressions. Neither is… … Dictionary of problem words and expressions
had rather — literary or archaic would rather. → rather … English new terms dictionary
had rather — would rather, prefers that, gives priority to … English contemporary dictionary
