Common American Phrases in Everyday Contexts (78 page)

How do you like school?
a phrase used to start a conversation with a school-age person.
B
OB
: Well, Billy, how do you like school? B
ILL
: I hate it. B
OB
: Too bad
.
M
ARY
: How do you like school? B
OB
: It's okay. Almost everything else is better, though.

How do you like that? 1
.
Do you like that?; Is that to your liking?
T
OM
: There's a bigger one over there. How do you like that? B
ILL
: It's better, but not quite what I want
.
C
LERK
: Here's one without pleats. How do you like that? F
RED
: That's perfect!
2
.
an expression said when administering punishment.
“How do you like that?” growled Tom as he punched John in the stomach
.
B
ILL
(being spanked): Ouch! Ow! No! M
OTHER
(spanking): How do you like that? B
ILL
: Not much. M
OTHER
: It hurts me more than it hurts you
.
3
.
an expression of surprise at someone's bad or strange behavior or at some surprising event.
T
OM
(shouting at Sue): Can it! Go away! S
UE
(looking at Mary, aghast): Well, how do you like that! M
ARY
: Let's get out of here!
F
RED
: How do you like that? S
UE
: What's the matter? F
RED
: My wallet's gone.

How do you like this weather?
a greeting inquiry. (A direct answer is expected.)
H
ENRY
: Hi, Bill. How do you like this weather? B
ILL
: Lovely weather for ducks. Not too good for me, though
.
A
LICE
: Gee, it's hot! How do you like this weather? R
ACHEL
: You can have it!

How dumb do you think I am?
Your question is insulting. I am not stupid. (Shows agitation. An answer is not expected or desired.)
M
ARY
: Are you really going to sell your new car? S
ALLY
: Come on! How dumb do you think I am?
T
OM
: Do you think you could sneak into that theater without paying? B
OB
: Good grief! How dumb do you think I am?