(it's) (a)bout time
An expression used to emphasize that something should have occurred a long time ago. Well, about time you got here—I've been waiting for over an hour! It's about time that high schools taught their students about basic banking and finance. A: "Tom finally moved out of his parents' house." B: "Bout time! He's 40 years old."
how about
1. A phrase used before a suggestion. How about Chinese for dinner? How about you turn off the TV and go to bed early for once? Hey, how about you actually take notes in class, instead of always stealing mine afterward?
2. A phrase used before a comment that seeks the listener's feedback. How about that game last night? So exciting! How about that final boss battle? Man, that drug on forever! I thought for sure I was gonna run out of healing elixirs. How about this weather we've been having? 70 and sunny in the middle of February? I'll take that over snow any day!
How about a lift?
A request for a ride, as in one's car. If you're going to that part of town, how about a lift? I'll give you money for gas. Ooh, you're going to the mall? Hey, how about a lift? How about a lift then? Come on, you just said you're going to the library too!
How about you?
A phrase used to extend a previously asked question to someone else. A: "How've you been, Ted?" B: "Oh, I've been fine. How about you?" OK, one coffee, and how about you, Miss? OK, so you two are comfortable with the temperature. How about you, Jane? Are you cold?
How 'bout them apples?
1. A phrase used to draw attention to one's cleverness or superiority to the one being addressed, especially after a recent triumph. You remember how you said I would never get into law school? Well now I'm valedictorian. How 'bout them apples? Hey, jerk, guess who made the varsity team after all? Yep, how 'bout them apples? How 'bout those apples? Yep, you got outsmarted by your "dumb" little brother.
2. That is surprising or disappointing. McCloskey's is closing after 41 years in business. How 'bout them apples? Well, I didn't get into any of the schools I applied to, so how 'bout them apples? Yes, someone I trusted for years completely ripped me off—how 'bout them apples?
sorry about that
Glib or lighthearted recognition of some mistake one has made, regardless of how serious (or not) the mistake may be. Sometimes expressed more colloquially as "sorry 'bout that." A: "Oops, sorry about that. I didn't realize you were still using this computer." B: "Oh, don't worry about it. I'll just log in on a different one." A: "You ruined my entire batch of brownies!" B: "Oh yeah, sorry 'bout that. I needed the oven, though, so I just took them out."
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
How about you?
What do you think?; What is your choice?; What about you? Bob: How are you, Bill? Bill: I'm okay. How about you? Bob: Fine, fine. Let's do lunch sometime. Waiter: Can I take your order? Bill: I'll have the chef's salad and ice tea. Waiter (turning to Sue): How about you? Sue: I'll have the same.
How bout them apples?
and How do you like them apples?Rur. What do you think of that? (Often used to express admiration, as in the first example; bout is short for about.) Tom: I got first prize! Mary: Well! How bout them apples? Joe got a job as a newspaper reporter. How do you like them apples?
sorry about that
and sorry 'bout thatsorry; whoops. (A gross understatement, said more as a self-deprecating joke than as an apology.) You spill hot cocoa on my coat, and all you can say is "Sorry 'about that"? When the passenger stepped on my toe, she said, "sorry about that."
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.