have a good war

Meanings

1. 1phraseidiominformalBritish

   To come through a war or difficult period well, gaining advantage or success.

   Grammar: Used as a fixed phrase, most often in the past: he had a good war.

   Patterns

   • have a good war
   • had a good war
   • didn't have a good war

   The young officer had a good war: he was promoted twice before 1945.

   Some businesses had a good war, selling supplies to the army.

   She didn't have a good war; she lost her job and her home.

2. 2phraseidiomdisapprovingfigurative

   To benefit from a period of conflict or crisis while others suffer.

   Grammar: Often slightly disapproving, suggesting someone profited from trouble.

   Patterns

   • have a good war out of something
   • have a good war on something

   The consultants had a good war out of the recession.

   Politicians who had a good war now talk as if they predicted everything.

Common combinations

have a good war

He had a good war and came home a captain.

have a good war out of something

A few firms had a good war out of the crisis.

not have a good war

The minister did not have a good war; the press turned against him.

a good war for someone

It was a good war for arms makers.

Synonyms and how they differ

prosper

Prosper is neutral and general; 'have a good war' is specific to wartime or crisis and often sounds ironic.

thrive

Thrive suggests healthy growth, while 'have a good war' implies advantage gained from conflict.

do well

Do well is plain and neutral; 'have a good war' is a fixed, slightly old-fashioned idiom.

Opposites

Word family

wartime noun

The period when a war is being fought.

warrior noun

A person who fights in a war.

Commonly confused: have a good war or have a good one? have a good war or have a good time?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “have a good war”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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