Idioms are fun phrases that mean something different from the literal words you say. People use them every day to make talking and writing much more colorful and exciting. In this lesson, you will learn a wonderful collection of idioms related to greeting friends and asking how someone is doing.
In this lesson, we’ll look at idioms for how are you that mean asking about health, checking on friends, and greeting people warmly. Let’s get started and explore some of these helpful expressions.
Idioms for How Are You
1. What is up
Meaning: This idiom is a casual greeting used to ask someone what they are doing or how things are going.
For Example: My friend walked up to my locker and asked me what is up. / I waved across the hallway and shouted What’s up to my classmate.
Other Ways to Say: How are things / What is happening
2. How is it going
Meaning: This idiom is a friendly question used to check on how someone’s day is progressing.
For Example: The teacher smiled and asked how is it going as we entered the classroom. / Walking into practice, my coach asked how is it going.
Other Ways to Say: How are you doing / How is life treating you
3. How do you do
Meaning: This idiom is a polite, traditional greeting used when meeting someone for the very first time.
For Example: Grandpa shook the visitor’s hand and politely asked how do you do. / When introduced to the principal, she smiled and said how do you do.
Other Ways to Say: Pleased to meet you / Greetings
4. How are things
Meaning: This idiom is an informal way to ask about someone’s general life and well-being.
For Example: My cousin called on the phone just to ask how are things at school. / Sitting at lunch, we chatted about how are things with our sports teams.
Other Ways to Say: How is life / What is new
5. How are you holding up
Meaning: This idiom means asking how someone is coping with a difficult or tiring situation.
For Example: After the long test week, my friend asked me how are you holding up. / Mom checked on me during chores to ask how are you holding up.
Other Ways to Say: How are you coping / Are you hanging in there
6. How is tricks
Meaning: This idiom is a cheerful, old-fashioned slang phrase used to ask how someone is doing.
For Example: Uncle Joe smiled and asked how is tricks when he visited our house. / Meeting my neighbor in the yard, he waved and asked how is tricks.
Other Ways to Say: How are things going / How are you
7. What have you been up to
Meaning: This idiom asks what activities someone has been doing since you last saw them.
For Example: We caught up after summer break by asking what have you been up to. / My friend smiled and asked what have you been up to all week.
Other Ways to Say: What is new / What have you done lately
8. How are you keeping
Meaning: This idiom is a polite British phrase used to ask about someone’s health and well-being.
For Example: Grandma wrote a letter asking how are you keeping during the winter. / The friendly shopkeeper smiled and asked how are you keeping today.
Other Ways to Say: How are you / How is your health
9. How goes it
Meaning: This idiom is a very casual, friendly way to ask how someone’s day is going.
For Example: My teammate tossed a basketball and asked how goes it with your practice. / Walking into the clubhouse, he shouted how goes it to everyone.
Other Ways to Say: How are things / What is happening
10. Long time no see
Meaning: This idiom is a friendly greeting used when you meet someone you have not seen in a while.
For Example: Running into my old preschool friend at the park made me say long time no see. / We hugged at the family reunion and said long time no see.
Other Ways to Say: It has been a while / Glad to see you again
11. Look what the cat dragged in
Meaning: This idiom is a humorous greeting used when an old friend unexpectedly arrives.
For Example: When my cousin walked through the door, my dad joked, look what the cat dragged in. / My brother smiled and said look what the cat dragged in when I came home.
Other Ways to Say: Look who is here / Surprise visitor
12. Good to see you
Meaning: This idiom is a warm greeting expressing happiness at meeting someone again.
For Example: Opening the front door for my grandparents, I smiled and said good to see you. / We shook hands at the club meeting and said good to see you.
Other Ways to Say: Nice to meet again / Glad you are here
13. How are you shaping up
Meaning: This idiom jokingly asks how someone is preparing or doing with a new routine.
For Example: The soccer coach asked how are you shaping up for the new season. / My brother asked how are you shaping up with your art project.
Other Ways to Say: How is your progress / How are you doing
14. What is the good word
Meaning: This idiom is a friendly way to ask what exciting news or updates someone has.
For Example: My uncle walked into the kitchen and asked, what is the good word today? / The kids at the lunch table asked me what is the good word.
Other Ways to Say: What is the news / What updates do you have
15. How are you getting on
Meaning: This idiom asks how someone is managing their daily tasks or schoolwork.
For Example: The teacher walked past my desk to ask how are you getting on with your math. / My mom asked how are you getting on with your reading book.
Other Ways to Say: How are you managing / How is it going
16. How is life treating you
Meaning: This idiom is a warm, friendly way to ask how someone’s general experiences are going.
For Example: Catching up with my neighbor over the fence, I asked how is life treating you. / The friendly librarian smiled and asked how is life treating you today.
Other Ways to Say: How are things / How is everything
17. How are your folks
Meaning: This idiom asks politely about the health and well-being of someone’s parents or family.
For Example: My teacher smiled and asked how are your folks doing this winter. / When my friend called, I remembered to ask how are your folks.
Other Ways to Say: How is your family / How are your parents
18. How is the world treating you
Meaning: This idiom is a kind, conversational greeting asking how life has been treating someone.
For Example: Sitting down at the family dinner table, uncle asked how is the world treating you. / My art teacher smiled warmly and asked how is the world treating you.
Other Ways to Say: How is life / How are things going
19. What is new and exciting
Meaning: This idiom is an enthusiastic greeting asking for recent fun updates in someone’s life.
For Example: We met at the park and immediately asked, what is new and exciting? / My best friend called with a bright smile, asking what is new and exciting.
Other Ways to Say: What is happening / Any fun updates
20. How is your day shaping up
Meaning: This idiom asks how someone’s current day is progressing so far.
For Example: Walking into morning practice, the captain asked me how is your day shaping up. / My dad asked how is your day shaping up when I got home from school.
Other Ways to Say: How is your day / How are things going today
21. How are you feeling today
Meaning: This idiom asks directly about someone’s physical health or emotional mood.
For Example: Seeing me cough slightly, the nurse asked how are you feeling today. / My friend checked on me after soccer practice by asking how are you feeling today.
Other Ways to Say: How is your health / Are you feeling well
22. What is shaking
Meaning: This idiom is a playful, slang greeting asking what events are happening in someone’s life.
For Example: My cousin walked into the room grinning and asked, hey, what is shaking? / The kids at recess shouted hello and asked what is shaking.
Other Ways to Say: What is happening / What is up
23. How is everything in your world
Meaning: This idiom is a caring greeting asking about all parts of someone’s personal life.
For Example: Calling my grandmother on Sunday, I asked how is everything in your world. / My friend listened closely and asked how is everything in your world.
Other Ways to Say: How are things / How is life
24. How do you fare
Meaning: This idiom is a slightly formal or traditional way of asking how someone is getting along.
For Example: The storyteller in the play greeted the audience by asking how do you fare. / Reading old adventure stories, characters often asked each other how do you fare.
Other Ways to Say: How are you / How do you get along
25. What is the latest
Meaning: This idiom asks for the most recent news or updates in someone’s daily life.
For Example: We sat on the porch swing and asked each other, what is the latest? / My classmate sat down at the table and asked what is the latest news.
Other Ways to Say: What is new / What updates do you have
26. How are you holding up under the pressure
Meaning: This idiom asks how someone is coping with intense schoolwork, sports, or stress.
For Example: Seeing me study for three tests at once, my friend asked how are you holding up under the pressure. / The coach checked in during finals week to ask how are you holding up under the pressure.
Other Ways to Say: Are you coping with stress / How is the pressure
27. How is your week going
Meaning: This idiom asks how someone’s current week of school or activities is progressing.
For Example: The school counselor smiled and asked how is your week going so far. / My piano teacher started the lesson by asking how is your week going.
Other Ways to Say: How is your week / How are things this week
28. How is the family
Meaning: This idiom asks warmly about the health and happiness of someone’s household relatives.
For Example: Meeting my neighbor at the mailbox, I remembered to ask how is the family. / The store owner waved and asked how is the family doing.
Other Ways to Say: How are your folks / How are your relatives
29. What is cracking
Meaning: This idiom is a fun, casual greeting asking what exciting plans are happening.
For Example: My friends shouted hello at the park gates and asked what is cracking. / Walking into the clubhouse, someone asked what is cracking for today.
Other Ways to Say: What is up / What is happening
30. How is your project coming along
Meaning: This idiom asks specifically about the progress of someone’s hobby or school assignment.
For Example: The art teacher walked around the desks to ask how is your project coming along. / My dad stopped by my room to ask how is your project coming along.
Other Ways to Say: How is your work progressing / How goes the project
31. How is your morning treating you
Meaning: This idiom asks how someone’s morning hours have been going so far.
For Example: Walking into the kitchen for breakfast, mom smiled and asked how is your morning treating you. / My coworker greeted me with a smile and asked how is your morning treating you.
Other Ways to Say: How is your morning / How is your day going so far
32. What is cooking
Meaning: This idiom is a playful greeting asking what plans or projects someone is working on.
For Example: My friend walked up to my desk and whispered, hey, what is cooking today? / The club president smiled and asked the team, what is cooking for the bake sale?
Other Ways to Say: What is happening / What are your plans
33. How are you surviving the day
Meaning: This idiom jokingly asks how someone is coping with a busy or tiring school day.
For Example: During afternoon recess, my friend laughed and asked how are you surviving the day. / The teacher smiled during math class and asked how are you surviving the day.
Other Ways to Say: How is your day going / Are you surviving the work
34. How are you holding your own
Meaning: This idiom asks how someone is managing to stay strong during difficult challenges.
For Example: After spraining my ankle, my teammate asked how are you holding your own. / My mentor checked in on my studies to ask how are you holding your own.
Other Ways to Say: How are you managing / Are you holding up
35. What is the scuttlebutt
Meaning: This idiom jokingly asks what gossip or news is traveling around the school.
For Example: The students whispered at lunch, asking each other what is the scuttlebutt about the talent show. / My friend asked what is the scuttlebutt regarding the field trip.
Other Ways to Say: What is the gossip / What is the news
36. How is your health holding up
Meaning: This idiom asks specifically if someone’s physical condition has been good recently.
For Example: Grandma called during cold season and asked how is your health holding up. / The school nurse checked on me and asked how is your health holding up.
Other Ways to Say: How is your health / Are you feeling well
37. What is the scoop
Meaning: This idiom asks for the inside story, news, or recent updates from a friend.
For Example: We sat together at the lunch table and asked, give me the scoop, what is new? / My friend whispered, what is the scoop on the upcoming school play?
Other Ways to Say: What is the news / Tell me everything
38. How is tricks with you
Meaning: This idiom is a playful, casual way to ask how someone’s life is going.
For Example: My uncle greeted me with a wave and asked, hey, how is tricks with you? / Walking up to my friend at the park, I asked how is tricks with you.
Other Ways to Say: How are things / How are you doing
39. What is the word on the street
Meaning: This idiom asks what general news or rumors people are talking about lately.
For Example: My friend asked what is the word on the street about the new after-school club. / Walking into the hallway, he asked what is the word on the street regarding sports tryouts.
Other Ways to Say: What is the news / What is everyone saying
40. How are you faring today
Meaning: This idiom asks politely how someone is doing or progressing through their daily activities.
For Example: The librarian smiled warmly and asked how are you faring today with your research. / My aunt called to ask how are you faring today in the cold weather.
Other Ways to Say: How are you doing / How is your day going
41. How are you doing today
Meaning: This idiom is a standard, polite greeting used to check on someone’s well-being.
For Example: The cashier smiled brightly and asked how are you doing today. / Walking into the classroom, I asked my friend how are you doing today.
Other Ways to Say: How are you / How is your day
42. How are things shaping up
Meaning: This idiom asks how plans, projects, or general life events are progressing.
For Example: The club president asked the committee how are things shaping up for the festival. / My dad asked how are things shaping up with my science fair model.
Other Ways to Say: How is your progress / How are things going
43. What is happening
Meaning: This idiom is a direct, casual greeting asking about current events in someone’s life.
For Example: My friend waved across the gym and shouted, hey, what is happening? / Sitting down at the table, I asked what is happening with everyone.
Other Ways to Say: What is up / How are things
44. How goes the battle
Meaning: This idiom jokingly asks how someone is progressing through a difficult or busy task.
For Example: My dad walked into my study room and asked, how goes the battle with homework? / The coach smiled at halftime and asked how goes the battle on the field.
Other Ways to Say: How is your work going / How are you managing
45. What is new with you
Meaning: This idiom asks warmly about any recent changes or activities in someone’s life.
For Example: We chatted by the lockers and asked each other, what is new with you? / My cousin visited and immediately asked what is new with you.
Other Ways to Say: What is happening / Any updates
46. How are you holding the fort
Meaning: This idiom jokingly asks how someone is managing chores or responsibilities while others are away.
For Example: Mom walked into the kitchen and asked how are you holding the fort while I was gone. / My brother asked how are you holding the fort during chores.
Other Ways to Say: How are you managing / Are you taking care of things
47. How is your day treating you so far
Meaning: This idiom asks warmly how pleasant or difficult someone’s day has been.
For Example: The friendly shopkeeper smiled and asked how is your day treating you so far. / My friend greeted me at lunch by asking how is your day treating you so far.
Other Ways to Say: How is your day / How are things going today
48. What is the story
Meaning: This idiom asks for an update or explanation of what someone has been doing.
For Example: My friend walked up and asked, what is the story with your new bicycle? / The teacher smiled and asked what is the story behind your colorful art project.
Other Ways to Say: What is happening / Tell me about it
49. How do you find things
Meaning: This idiom asks politely how someone is experiencing their new environment or routine.
For Example: The principal welcomed the new student and asked, how do you find things at our school? / My aunt asked how do you find things in your new neighborhood.
Other Ways to Say: How do you like it here / How are things going
50. How is your heart
Meaning: This idiom is a caring greeting asking about someone’s emotional well-being and feelings.
For Example: My kind art teacher checked on me and gently asked, how is your heart today? / Close friends sometimes ask how is your heart when life gets emotional.
Other Ways to Say: How are you feeling emotionally / How are you holding up
51. What is the latest news
Meaning: This idiom asks formally or informally for recent updates about someone’s life.
For Example: We sat together in the library and asked, what is the latest news about the club? / My aunt called on the phone to ask what is the latest news.
Other Ways to Say: What is new / What updates do you have
52. How are you managing
Meaning: This idiom asks if someone is successfully handling their daily responsibilities or workload.
For Example: Seeing my large stack of books, the librarian asked how are you managing. / My dad checked on my chores to ask how are you managing.
Other Ways to Say: How are you coping / Are you handling it well
53. How is your afternoon going
Meaning: This idiom asks politely how someone’s afternoon hours are progressing.
For Example: The library volunteer smiled and asked how is your afternoon going. / My friend waved across the park and asked how is your afternoon going.
Other Ways to Say: How is your afternoon / How are things going today
54. What is occurring
Meaning: This idiom is a casual or regional greeting asking what events are currently happening.
For Example: My friend walked up with a smile and asked, hey, what is occurring? / The kids at the club meeting asked what is occurring for today’s activity.
Other Ways to Say: What is happening / What is up
55. How are your studies coming along
Meaning: This idiom asks specifically about the progress of someone’s school learning.
For Example: My tutor started our session by asking how are your studies coming along. / The teacher asked how are your studies coming along for the final exam.
Other Ways to Say: How is school going / How are your classes progressing
56. How is everything shaping up today
Meaning: This idiom asks how daily plans or activities are coming together so far.
For Example: The event organizer asked the team, how is everything shaping up today? / My mom asked how is everything shaping up today for our trip.
Other Ways to Say: How are plans going / How is progress today
57. What is happening in your neck of the woods
Meaning: This idiom asks warmly what news or updates are happening in someone’s neighborhood.
For Example: My relative called from another town and asked, what is happening in your neck of the woods? / Greeting my neighbor, I asked what is happening in your neck of the woods.
Other Ways to Say: What is new near you / How is your neighborhood
58. How are you holding up with the weather
Meaning: This idiom asks how someone is coping with extreme heat, cold, or rainy weather.
For Example: During the heatwave, my neighbor waved and asked how are you holding up with the weather. / The postal worker asked how are you holding up with the snowstorm.
Other Ways to Say: How are you handling the weather / How is the weather treating you
59. How is your evening unfolding
Meaning: This idiom asks politely how someone’s evening plans or relaxation time are progressing.
For Example: My friend called right before dinner and asked how is your evening unfolding. / The camp counselor smiled and asked how is your evening unfolding.
Other Ways to Say: How is your evening / How are your night plans going
60. How is your day treating you
Meaning: This idiom asks kindly how pleasant or busy someone’s day has been so far.
For Example: The friendly librarian smiled warmly and asked how is your day treating you. / My teammate patted my shoulder and asked how is your day treating you.
Other Ways to Say: How is your day / How are things going
Exercise to Practice
- My friend walked up to my locker and asked me ________.
- The teacher smiled and asked ________ as we entered the classroom.
- Grandpa shook the visitor’s hand and politely asked ________.
- My cousin called on the phone just to ask ________ at school.
- After the long test week, my friend asked me ________.
- Uncle Joe smiled and asked ________ when he visited our house.
- We caught up after summer break by asking ________.
- Grandma wrote a letter asking ________ during the winter.
- My teammate tossed a basketball and asked ________ with your practice.
- Running into my old preschool friend at the park made me say ________.
- When my cousin walked through the door, my dad joked, ________.
- Opening the front door for my grandparents, I smiled and said ________.
- The soccer coach asked ________ for the new season.
- My uncle walked into the kitchen and asked, ________ today?
- The teacher walked past my desk to ask ________ with your math.
Answer Key
- what is up
- how is it going
- how do you do
- how are things
- how are you holding up
- how is tricks
- what have you been up to
- how are you keeping
- how goes it
- long time no see
- look what the cat dragged in
- good to see you
- how are you shaping up
- what is the good word
- how are you getting on
Conclusion
Learning these idioms about how are you helps make greeting friends and checking on loved ones much more natural and engaging. When you use these expressions, you can connect with people in a warm and colorful way. Try using some of these phrases when chatting with classmates or family members today. You will sound like a language expert while making your everyday conversations wonderfully friendly!
