Common American Phrases in Everyday Contexts (82 page)

How's that working out (for you)?
Go to How's that working (out)?

How's the boy?
Go to How's my boy?

How's the family?
AND
How's your family?
an expression that carries the greeting inquiries beyond the speakers present.
B
OB
: Hello, Fred. How are you? F
RED
: Fine, thanks. B
OB
: How's the family? F
RED
: Great! How's yours? B
OB
: Couldn't be better
.
“How's the family?” asked Bill, greeting his boss.

How's the wife?
How is your wife? (Usually male to male.)
T
OM
: Hi, Fred, how are you? F
RED
: Good. And you? T
OM
: Great! How's the wife? F
RED
: Okay, and yours? T
OM
: Couldn't be better
.
B
ILL
: Hi, Bill. How's the wife? B
OB
: Doing fine. How's every little thing? B
ILL
: Great!

How's the world (been) treating you?
How are things going for you?
S
UE
: Hello there, Bob. How's the world treating you? B
OB
: I can't complain. How are you? S
UE
: Doing just fine, thanks
.
M
ARY
: Morning, Bill. B
ILL
: Good morning, Mary. How's the world been treating you? M
ARY
: Okay, I guess.

How's tricks?
a greeting inquiry. (Slang.)
B
OB
: Fred! How's tricks? F
RED
: How are you doing, Bob? B
OB
: Doing great!
B
ILL
: What's up? How's tricks? B
OB
: I can't complain. How are things going for you? B
ILL
: Can't complain.

How's with you?
Go to How's (it) with you?

How's your family?
Go to How's the family?

Hurry on
!
Keep going! Move faster!
T
OM
: Get going! Hurry on! S
UE
: I'm hurrying as fast as I can
.
M
ARY
: Hurry on! C
HILD
: I can't go any faster!

Hurry up
!
Come on, move faster.
S
UE
: Hurry up! We're late! B
ILL
: I'm hurrying.
B
OB
: We're about to miss the bus! S
UE
: Well, then, hurry up!