a fine how do you do
a fine how do you do
Something that is irritating, unfortunate, or problematic. Well, that's a fine how do you do—the kids used the last of the milk this morning. I just got the car washed and waxed, and now it's covered in bird poop. Talk about a fine how do you do! They're canceling our project? That's a fine how-do-you-do after devoting nearly a year of our lives to it.
that's a fine how-do-you-do
1. Said of a particularly bad, unpleasant, unfortunate, or unfair issue, outcome, or situation. Well that's a fine how-do-you-do. I just got the car washed and waxed, and now it's covered in bird poop. They're canceling our project? That's a fine how-do-you-do after devoting nearly a year of our lives to it.
2. Said of some rude or offensive remark someone makes to someone else. A: "This pasta sauce is way too salty!" B: "Well, that's a fine how-do-you-do—I invite you into my house for dinner, and you do is insult my cooking!" He just published a scathing report criticizing nearly every aspect of our company. That's a fine how-do-you-do from someone we spent 10 years mentoring.
See also: fine
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
fine how do you do
an unpleasant situation. (Said with surprise.) This is a fine how do you do! Someone left a big puddle of motor oil in my driveway. John saw his girlfriend out with another young man. He walked up to her and said, "Well, isn't this a fine how do you do!"
That's a fine how-do-you-do.
Inf. That is a terrible situation. Well, that's a fine how-do-you-do! I tried to call Mary, and her number is disconnected! That's a fine how-do-you-do. I come home and find the kids are playing catch with my best crystal bowl.
See also: fine
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.