English

Alternative forms

Proverb

those that have, get

1. People who already have wealth and status are the most likely to receive additional wealth and status (usually with the implication that the distribution of life's benefits and opportunities is unfair).
   • 1917, Alice Walton, "Fortuna's Daughters," Good Housekeeping, vol. 65, no. 3, p. 90:

     You may have heard the old adage about "those that have, get," and it is true. . . . The getting started on money-making is the hardest part.

   • 1978 Jan. 1, Sarah Booth Conroy, "Of Kingdoms, Principalities and Carolina Castles," Washington Post (retrieved 21 July 2015):

     In the great capitalist tradition of "those who have, get," Vanderbilt's investment today returns rich dividends to his grandsons.

   • 2005 Sep. 17, Carol E. Lee, "In Lieu of a Gift Bag, Send Donations to...," New York Times (retrieved 21 July 2015):

     Those that have, get. For lending their status to Fashion Week events, the rich and the famous scored, among other things, $225 jeans and coupons for $200 PuchiBags for their pets.

   • 2008, Andrew P. Smith, The Dimensions Of Experience, ISBN 9781465315908, p. 279 (Google preview):

     In other words, “the rich get richer” or “those that have, get” (indeed, distribution of wealth in America follows a scale-free organization).

Usage notes

• The alternative form "them what has, gets", and its close variations, is intentionally expressed in ungrammatical, rustic language to create a somewhat amusing impression of folksy, homespun wisdom.

Synonyms

• the rich get richer