rather : Idioms & Phrases


Had as lief, Had rather, Had better, Had as soon

  • etc., with a nominative and followed by the infinitive without to, are well established idiomatic forms. The original construction was that of the dative with forms of be, followed by the infinitive. See Had better, under Better.
Webster 1913

Had rather, ∨ Would rather

  • prefer to; prefers to; as, he had, ∨ would, rather go than stay. "I had rather speak five words with my understanding than ten thousands words in an unknown tongue." 1 Cor. xiv. 19. See Had rather, under Had.
Webster 1913

The rather

  • the more so; especially; for better reason; for particular cause.
    You are come to me in happy time, The rather for I have some sport in hand. Shak.
Webster 1913