hello
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Related to hello: Hello Magazine
a golden hello
A sum of money paid to a new employee as a benefit for being recruited by a company. He had such an impressive résumé that he was offered a sizeable golden hello for joining the company. I didn't really want to leave my old job, but how could I turn down a substantial raise and a golden hello? I'm willing to authorize a golden hello, if you think that will seal the deal with this candidate.
drop in to say hello
To visit one casually or unexpectedly. Ever since we gave your mother that key, she keeps dropping in to say hello. Hey, I did not tell him to come over tonight—he just dropped in to say hello! Sorry I'm late, my nosy neighbor dropped in to say hello as I was getting ready to leave.
hello
1. An interjection used to ask or determine if someone is listening or paying attention. Hello? Miranda? Did you hear anything I just said? What is the capital of Nebraska? Anyone? Hello? A: "Hello? Mom?" B: "Sorry, honey, what were you asking me?"
2. An interjection used in response to a statement or suggestion perceived as outlandish or ignorant. Um, hello? I would never wear a hideous outfit like that. Hello, I'm right here! Could you at least wait until I leave to start talking about me? Why is she mad at me? Hello, I had no part in the vicious rumor going around about her!
3. An interjection used to express surprise or amazement. Hello! Look at the size of that cake! Whoa, hello! That skateboarder almost ran into me! Hello, that guy is totally gorgeous! Please tell me you can introduce us.
hello pot, meet kettle
informal Used to highlight a situation in which a person accuses someone of or criticizes someone for something of which they themselves are guilty. An allusion to the idiom "the pot calling the kettle black," which means the same. You, the miniskirt queen, are judging me for wearing revealing clothing to a party? Wow, hello pot, meet kettle! That lying senator has accused the newspaper of misrepresenting the facts? Hello pot, meet kettle! Oh, so it's only OK when you do it? Well, hello pot, meet kettle!
hello, sailor
humorous Used as a flirtatious greeting to or an appreciative aside about someone attractive, especially within the gay community. Derived from a stereotypical greeting from a prostitute to a sailor. A: "Brad, check out the hottie at the bar." B: "Well, hello, sailor!" Hello, sailor! That guy is totally gorgeous—please tell me you can introduce us. Hello, sailor. Can I buy you a drink?
See also: sailor
Hello, stranger.
humorous Used as a greeting when one hasn't seen someone for a relatively or unusually long time. A: "Oh, hello, stranger! I wasn't sure if you were ever coming out of that shed." B: "Sorry, honey. I was trying to fix the lawnmower and lost track of time." A: "Hi Dad." B: "Well, hello, stranger. I wasn't sure when we'd see you again!" Hello, stranger. I guess you finally finished studying?
say hello to (someone) for (one)
To pass along one's greetings and well-wishes to someone else on one's behalf. Be sure to say hello to Gerald for me when you get there! You're going for an interview with Stephen Leicester and Mary Robinson? I haven't seen them in ages. Please say hello to them for me, would you?
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
Say hello to someone (for me).
Please convey my good wishes to someone. (The someone can be a person's name or a pronoun. See also Give my best to someone; Remember me to someone.) Andy: Good-bye, Tom. Say hello to your brother for me. Tom: Sure. Bye, Andy. Sally: Well, good-bye. Mary: Bye. Sally: And say hello to Jane. Mary: Sure. Bye-bye.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Hello?
exclam. Did you hear me?; Are you aware that I am talking to you? A: I don’t want any of that. B: Here, have some. A: Hello? No, I don’t want any.
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
hello?
Did you hear me? Do you really mean that? This slangy term is not the conventional greeting, but pronounced with strong stress on the second syllable (hel-LO?), it acquired this new meaning in the late 1900s. For example, “You mean you’ve never heard of America Online? Hello?” It is on its way to clichédom.
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer