The expression "has someone pegged" means to have someone figured out or understood. The spelling of "pegged" is straightforward and follows the regular pronunciation rules of English, with the "e" pronounced as "eh" (ɛ) and the "g" as a "j" sound (dʒ). The stress falls on the first syllable, making it PEG-ged (ˈpɛɡd). So, if someone says they "have you pegged," it means they feel they know you very well.
To have someone pegged refers to the act of perceiving, understanding, or accurately assessing someone's true character, intentions, capabilities, or quirks. It is an idiomatic expression that implies having a clear, insightful, and often accurate understanding of an individual's nature or behaviors.
The phrase "has someone pegged" originated from the concept of accurately identifying or marking an object or a place by attaching a peg to it. Similar to how a peg helps keep things organized or in place, having someone pegged means having a solid grasp of their qualities or habits, allowing others to predict or anticipate their actions.
When one says they "have someone pegged," it suggests that they have spent enough time observing, interacting, or studying the individual, enabling them to make informed judgments or predictions about their behavior. It may involve understanding someone's strengths, weaknesses, preferences, tendencies, interests, or even their underlying motivations. Being able to accurately peg someone often gives a person an advantage in predicting how someone might respond in different situations and adapting their own actions accordingly.
However, it is important to note that having someone pegged does not necessarily imply a complete understanding of every aspect of a person's character. People are complex, and it is unlikely to completely comprehend every aspect of someone's personality. Thus, having someone pegged tends to connote a higher level of insight, but not omniscience, about an individual.