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Glite Dictionary
how-d'ye-do

how-d'ye-do

9.9
An awkward problem that causes a fuss
  • noun
  • /haʊ dɪ juː duː/
  • Archaic
translation icon : alboroto
  • Losing the keys just before the meeting created a real how-d'ye-do.

Examples

  • The sudden power outage caused a how-d'ye-do in the office.

  • When he arrived late without his notes, it was quite a how-d'ye-do for the whole team.

  • What a how-d'ye-do that was!

  • This party turned into quite the how-d'ye-do.

  • The unexpected fire drill caused quite a how-d'ye-do during the important presentation.

  • There was a real how-d'ye-do when the guest speaker didn't arrive for the conference.

  • The traffic accident outside created a major how-d'ye-do that delayed all the morning commutes.

Synonyms

mish
vshow-d'ye-do
  • Informal
3 9.9

A small problem that causes confusion or delay

is broader, meaning a troublesome event or commotion
how-do-you-do
vshow-d'ye-do
  • Archaic
9.3

An awkward or difficult situation that causes trouble

is identical in meaning but written in a shortened colloquial form

How Serious

disaster
∞ 1.0
crisis
∞ 3.1
problem
∞ 1.2
how-d'ye-do
  • Archaic
9.9
difficulty
651 2.4
hassle
89 4.5
fuss
145 1.5

Surface Forms

how-d'ye-do singular
how-d'ye-dos plural

Etymology

How-d'ye-do began as a spoken phrase like 'how do you do?', and a helpful way to remember it is to imagine that surprised talk becoming the name for a fuss. It is like the simple word to-do, which means 'fuss' or 'trouble', so a how-d'ye-do is an awkward or troublesome situation.