How do you know?
How do you know?
1. An inquiry as to how someone knows a particular piece of information. A: "I bet that's what's wrong with your dryer." B: "How do you know? You haven't even looked at it yet!"
2. A question that expresses one's annoyance or indignation over something that someone else has said. Oh, so Michael's the wrong guy for me now? And how do you know anyway?
See also: how
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
How do you know?
1. How did you get that information? (A straightforward question. The stress in on know.) Bill: The train is about to pull into the station. Sue: How do you know? Bill: I hear it. Fred: I have to apologize for the coffee. It probably isn't very good. Jane: How do you know? Fred: Well, I made it.
2. Inf. What makes you think you are correct?; Why do you think you have enough information to make this judgment? (Contentious. The heaviest stress is on you.) Bill: This is the best recording made all year. Bob: How do you know? Bill: Well, I guess it's just my opinion. Tom: Having a baby can be quite an ordeal. Mary: How do you know? Tom: I read a lot.
See also: how
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
- bet on it
- bet
- long shot
- long shot, (not by) a
- long shot, a
- a long shot
- bet on
- bet on (someone or something)
- bet with
- bet with (someone)