The crossword solution for the term 'HAD WINGS, SAY' is ATE. This is a reference to the phrase 'a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush, ' which is an idiom meaning that it is better to have something that is certain than to take a risk for more. The phrase is derived from the idea that if one has a bird in their hand, they can be sure of having it, whereas if they try to catch two birds in a bush, they may not be successful.