how-do-you-do
Definition
- Noun:
- A greeting; a conventional phrase used when meeting someone. This is an old-fashioned or formal way to say "hello."
- An awkward, difficult, or unpleasant situation; a state of affairs. This meaning is used to express annoyance, surprise, or dismay about a problematic circumstance.
Usage Examples
- Noun (Greeting):
- He tipped his hat and offered a formal "how-do-you-do."
- In the novel, the characters exchanged polite how-do-you-dos before the meeting.
- Noun (Awkward Situation):
- Well, this is a fine how-do-you-do! The car won't start, and we're already late.
- If the main speaker doesn't show up, that will be a pretty how-do-you-do for the conference organizers.
Advanced Usage
- The phrase is often used sarcastically or ironically in its second meaning (an awkward situation). The word "fine" or "pretty" frequently precedes it to emphasize the speaker's frustration.
- A fine how-do-you-do this is! The roof is leaking right over my desk.
- The contracted form "how-d'ye-do" is also common, especially in written dialogue to reflect informal speech.
Variants and Related Words
- How-do-you-do (noun): The standard spelling.
- How-d'ye-do (noun): A common contraction.
- Howdy (interjection, noun): An informal, chiefly American greeting, derived from "how do you do."
Synonyms
- For the greeting: Hello, greetings, salutation.
- For the awkward situation: Predicament, mess, pickle, fix, quandary.
Idioms and Fixed Phrases
- A fine how-do-you-do / A pretty how-do-you-do: A set phrase used to introduce or comment on an annoying or difficult situation.
- So the train is canceled? That's a fine how-do-you-do.
Noun
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an expression of greeting
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every morning they exchanged polite hellos
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an awkward situation
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that's a fine how-d'ye-do
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