How do you do?

Definitions

• greeting
  Used as a formal way of greeting someone, especially when being introduced to them for the first time

• express surprise or disbelief
  Used to express surprise or disbelief about something that has been said or done

Examples of How do you do?

• Jane walked into the crowded party and nervously approached Joe. "How do you do?" she asked, extending her hand for a handshake.

  "How do you do?" is a polite way to greet someone. It's like asking, "What's going on with you?" or "How are you doing?" However, it's less formal and more commonly used in social situations where a more casual greeting is appropriate. In Jane's example, she's introducing herself to Joe and breaking the ice with a friendly greeting.

• At the job interview, the hiring manager greeted the candidate with a warm smile and said, "How do you do?" The candidate replied confidently, "I'm doing well, thank you. It's nice to meet you."

  In this example, using "How do you do?" as a greeting shows that the hiring manager is trying to put the candidate at ease and make the conversation more relaxed. By responding, "I'm doing well," the candidate is letting the interviewer know that she's feeling positive and enthusiastic about the opportunity.

• Sarah met her friend on the street and exclaimed, "How do you do? You look amazing!"

  By saying, "How do you do?" Sarah is still using the polite greeting, but she's also commenting on her friend's appearance, which is a common usage of the idiom. In this case, the friend might respond, "Thank you so much! How about you? What have you been up to?"

• The teacher entered the classroom and greeted the students with a cheery, "How do you do?"

  Here, the teacher is using "How do you do?" as a way to get everyone's attention and start the lesson. It's a signal to the students that it's time to settle down, listen, and learn. The students might respond, "We're doing well, thank you," or maybe, "We're excited for today's lesson!" depending on their mood.

• When two people meet, one may ask the other, "How do you do?" to express polite greetings.

  The idiom "How do you do?" is commonly used as a polite greeting to welcome or introduce oneself to another person. It is a conventional way of expressing goodwill, hope, and friendliness towards the person being addressed. The answer to this question is simply, "I do very well, thank you" or "I'm doing fine, thank you" to show appreciation for the other person's greeting and signify a positive response.

• In a business meeting, a new employee may ask, "How do you all do?" to extend a friendly greeting and acknowledge the presence of the other attendees.

  The use of "all" in this example indicates that the person asking is addressing multiple people at once. This idiom helps to establish a level of cordiality and professionalism in the workplace by demonstrating the new employee's willingness to show respect and consideration for their colleagues.

• A person may greet their acquaintance saying, "How do you do? Long time no see!"

  This example illustrates an idiomatic expression that is commonly used when encountering someone whom the speaker has not seen for a prolonged period of time. It is a way to convey both pleasure and surprise at the chance meeting while also acknowledging the amount of time that has passed between the two people.

• In a formal setting, a guest may say, "How do you do? It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

  This example highlights the versatility of the idiom "How do you do?" and its adaptability to various social situations. By using this expression in a formal setting, the guest is making a polite and welcoming statement while also demonstrating the importance they place on making a favorable impression on the person they are encountering for the first time.

Conclusion

The idiom "How do you do?" can be used as a formal greeting when meeting someone for the first time. It can also be used to express surprise or disbelief in a polite manner.

Origin of "How do you do?"

The expression "How do you do?" originated in the 17th century as a formal greeting. It was originally used as a way to inquire about someone's health or well-being. Over time, it evolved into a standard greeting used when being introduced to someone for the first time. In modern usage, it is also used to express surprise or disbelief in a polite manner. The phrase has become a common part of formal social interactions and is often used in business and social settings. Its origins lie in etiquette and the conventions of polite society.