Looking first at the broken lamp and then at the cat, Mary shouted, “How could you do that?”
•Tom: Then I punched him in the nose. Rachel: Oh, how could you?
Dictionary of American idioms. 2013.
how could someone (do something)? — how can/could/someone (do something)? spoken phrase used for saying that you think someone’s behaviour is very surprising or very bad How can anyone believe such nonsense? How could you be so cruel? … Useful english dictionary
how can someone (do something)? — how can/could/someone (do something)? spoken phrase used for saying that you think someone’s behaviour is very surprising or very bad How can anyone believe such nonsense? How could you be so cruel? … Useful english dictionary
could — W1S1 [kəd strong kud] modal v negative short form couldn t ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 1¦(past ability)¦ 2¦(possibility)¦ 3¦(emphasizing your feelings)¦ 4¦(requesting)¦ 5¦(suggesting)¦ 6¦(annoyance)¦ 7 couldn t be better/worse/more pleased etc 8 I couldn t … Dictionary of contemporary English
how — [ hau ] function word *** How can be used in the following ways: as an adverb (introducing a direct or indirect question): How do you spell your last name? I don t know how the system works. (introducing an EXCLAMATION): How I hate the winter!… … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
could — [ weak kəd, strong kud ] modal verb *** Could is usually followed by an infinitive without to : I m glad you could come. Sometimes it is used without a following infinitive: I came as quickly as I could. Could does not change its form, so the… … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
how can/could — 1 used to show you think that someone has done or said something shocking or wrong “We don t need his help anyway.” “How can you say that?!” [=it is very wrong of you to say that] How could she just walk away from her children like that? 2 used… … Useful english dictionary
tie (you) to (something) — to connect you to something. Police found bloody clothes in Duggan s closet, and that s how they tied him to the killings. Melanie wished she weren t tied to home and could travel a little … New idioms dictionary
could — [[t]kəd, STRONG kʊd[/t]] ♦ (Could is a modal verb. It is used with the base form of a verb. Could is sometimes considered to be the past form of can, but in this dictionary the two words are dealt with separately.) 1) MODAL You use could to… … English dictionary
how — [[t]ha͟ʊ[/t]] ♦ (The conjunction is pronounced [[t]haʊ[/t]].) 1) QUEST You use how to ask about the way in which something happens or is done. How do I make payments into my account?... How do you manage to keep the place so tidy?... The law,… … English dictionary
how — 1 /haU/ adverb 1 QUESTIONS a) used to ask about what way or what method you should use to do something, find out about something, go somewhere etc: How do you spell foyer? | How should I dress for this job interview? | How on earth do you manage… … Longman dictionary of contemporary English
how */*/*/ — UK [haʊ] / US adverb, conjunction Summary: How can be used in the following ways: as an adverb (introducing a direct or indirect question): How do you spell your last name? ♦ I don t know how the system works. (introducing an exclamation): How I… … English dictionary
