have the wherewithal to (do something)
have the wherewithal to (do something)
1. To have the resources, especially financial, needed to do something. She has a fantastic business model, but does she have the wherewithal to get it off the ground? I desperately need a new computer, but I simply don't have the wherewithal to upgrade right now.
2. To have the energy or motivation needed to do something. I knew he was grieving, but I simply didn't have the wherewithal to offer him a sympathetic ear at the time. Sarah was so dejected after losing her job that she just didn't have the wherewithal to go out and look for a new one.
3. informal To have the appropriate level of savvy, initiative, common sense, or resourcefulness to do something. I was surrounded by important industry people, but I didn't have the wherewithal to introduce myself and try to promote my business. I wish I'd had the wherewithal when I was younger to start investing in a pension plan as soon as I got my first job.
See also: have, wherewithal
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
- a mystery to (one)
- a shoulder to cry on
- appear to
- able to do
- able to do it
- a change of heart
- (one) can whistle for it
- be badly off
- a double bind
- a turn of phrase