have designs on

phrase

1
: to have a secret desire and plan to get (something)
She had designs on my job.
2
formal + humorous : to want to date or have a sexual relationship with (someone)
You can deny it all you want, but I think it's pretty obvious that you have designs on her.

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Cite this Entry

“Have designs on.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/have%20designs%20on. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.

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