We have a way of asking a person to explain a statement that he’s been made. Guess what it is. Let listen to the following mini situational dialogue to get the answer.
(Scene:It happens between a couple. )
Mary:You need to change your hairstyle.
Richard:What do you mean by that? Do you dislike the way it's cut.
Have you got the answer? It is “What do you mean by that.” It's similar to saying “Tell me what that means.” And it equals to Chinese——你那么说是什么意思?More examples, let’s take a look at:
1.What do you mean by telling everyone that I'm a gay?
2:.What do you mean by special treatment?
3. :What do you mean by coming between me and Edward?
4. :What do you mean by not telling me the truth ?
If someone asks to you “What do you mean by something or by doing something?” You might as well say, “What I am trying to say is... ” Here is another mini situational dialogue. Let's look at:
(Scene:It happens between two classmates chewing the fat.)
John :I miss my ex-girlfriend.
Rose:What do you mean by that.
John:What I am trying to say is that she has broken up with me.
Here is an idiom: tobreak up with sb. It refers to separation between two lovers.
