how do you like them apples

phrase

A question directed jestingly or mockingly at someone who has received surprising information, ridiculing or making light of the situation.

“"Our governor has just vetoed a bill that would offer more money to our schools. How do you like them apples?"”

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Meanings

phrasehow do you like them apples?

alternative how about them apples · alternative how's them apples

  1. colloquialrhetoricA question directed jestingly or mockingly at someone who has received surprising information, ridiculing or making light of the situation.

    "Our governor has just vetoed a bill that would offer more money to our schools. How do you like them apples?"

  2. IrelandUScolloquialrhetoricUsed after an actual or proposed action with which the listener might be displeased, and also used after refuting an argument.

    "I can't give you a raise now; if I did, this whole company would go bankrupt, and you wouldn't have a job at all. Now how do you like them apples?"

Synonyms & antonyms

Also see
take your change out of that

Origin

Unknown.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

how do you like them apples. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/how%20do%20you%20like%20them%20apples

MLA

“how do you like them apples.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/how%20do%20you%20like%20them%20apples. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “how do you like them apples,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/how%20do%20you%20like%20them%20apples.

Source: how do you like them apples on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.