A dictionary of Confusable Phrases: More Than 10,000 Idioms and Collocations

Note:
The expression is not equivalent in meaning to the phrase
have something in mind
—
1
. think about smth.; intend to do
smth.: I didn’t know what he had in mind, so I just sat there
waiting for him to tell me. 2. think of smth. as being suitable
for some purpose: I have something in mind for the living-room
carpeting.
See also: have something in one’s brain / have something on the
brain.
have no fear for something
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have one’s nose in something • put one’s nose into
something
have one’s nose in something —(coll.) read smth. very atten-
tively: Friends of mine have a ten year-old son who always
has his nose in a book.
put one’s nose into something —(coll.) interfere in a matter
which does not concern one (also: poke one’s nose into some-
thing ): The issue has flowered into a discussion about Kroger’s
right to put his nose into editorial matters.
have one’s wits about one • have the wit to do
something
have one’s wits about one —be alert and ready to act in a
difficult situation: In this part of the city you must have your
wits about you all the time.
have the wit to do something —have enough intelligence and
understanding to do smth.: The Aztecs had the wit to leave a
wide open space all round the monument.
have power over someone • have someone in one’s
power
have power over someone —have control over a person; be
able to command smb.: He had power over me as my
employer; I was in a totally vulnerable situation.
have someone in one’s power —be able to do what one wishes
with a person: I had her in my power — up a tree, as the Amer-
icans say.