Greeted Me With: Definition, Meaning, and Origin

Last Updated on
January 16, 2024

The idiom "greeted me with" means to welcome someone with a particular expression, attitude, or action. It can be used to describe both positive and negative reactions, depending on the context. For example, someone can be greeted with a smile, a hug, a kiss, a handshake, a frown, a scowl, a slap, or a punch.

In short:

  • It describes how someone welcomes another person.
  • It can be used to express both positive and negative emotions or actions.

What Does "Greeted Me With" Mean?

The idiom "greeted me with" describes how someone reacts or responds to another person's arrival or presence. It can indicate the mood, attitude, or feeling of the person who is doing the greeting. It can also show the relationship or connection between the two people involved.

Where Does "Greeted Me With" Come From?

The idiom "greeted me with" is derived from the verb "greet," which means to say hello or acknowledge someone's presence. The word "greet" comes from the Old English word "grētan," which means approaching, saluting, or addressing. The word "with" comes from the Old English word "wiþ" which means against, from, or by. The combination of "greet" and "with" has been used since at least the 14th century to describe how someone welcomes another person.

Historical Example

I went this evening to Goethe. He cordially held out his hand, and greeted me with praises of my poem on " Schellhorn's Jubilee."

- Conversations of Goethe with Eckermann and Soret, Volume 1, 1850

10 Examples of "Greeted Me With" in Sentences

Here are some examples of how to use this idiom in different sentences:

  • Yaas! She greeted me with a warm smile and a friendly hug.
  • Oh, snap. He greeted me with a cold stare and a rude remark.
  • They greeted me with cheers and applause when I finished my speech.
  • As I stepped out of the house, the morning sun greeted me with its gentle rays.
  • The restaurant staff greeted me with a complimentary appetizer to start my meal.
  • After a tiring day, my favorite book on the shelf greeted me with its familiar comfort.
  • As I opened the door, the aroma of freshly baked bread greeted me with its inviting scent.
  • When I joined the online meeting, my colleagues greeted me with virtual waves and greetings.
  • About last night, when I arrived at the party, my friends greeted me with cheers and applause.
  • When I returned home after a long trip, my dog greeted me with a wagging tail and excitement.

Examples of "Greeted Me With" in Pop Culture

Here are some examples of how this idiom has been used in various forms of popular culture:

  • In the novel The Catcher in the Rye (1951) by J.D. Salinger, the protagonist, Holden Caulfield, says: "She crossed her legs and started jiggling this one foot up and down. She was very nervous for some reason. I was standing way over by the window. She greeted me with this funny look when she saw me standing there."
  • In the movie The Godfather (1972), directed by Francis Ford Coppola, there is a scene where Michael Corleone (played by Al Pacino) says to his brother Fredo Corleone (played by John Cazale): "Fredo, you're my older brother, and I love you. But don't ever take sides with anyone against the Family again. Ever." This is after Fredo "greeted him with" a kiss on the cheek, a sign of betrayal.
  • In the song "Hello" (2015) by Adele, there is a line that says: "Hello from the other side / I must have called a thousand times / To tell you I'm sorry for everything that I've done /, But when I call you never seem to be home / Hello from the outside / At least I can say that I've tried / To tell you I'm sorry for breaking your heart / But it doesn't matter it doesn't tear you apart anymore." This is about a person who tries to contact their ex-lover but is "greeted with" no response or rejection.

Synonyms: Other/Different Ways to Say "Greeted Me With"

Here are some synonyms for this idiom:

  • Said hello to me with
  • Showed me with
  • Welcomed me with
  • Received me with
  • Met me with
  • Confronted me with
  • Surprised me with

10 Frequently Asked Questions About "Greeted Me With"

Here are some frequently asked questions about this idiom:

  • What does "greeted me with" mean?

The idiom "greeted me with" means to welcome someone with a particular expression, attitude, or action. It can be used to describe both positive and negative reactions, depending on the context.

  • What is the origin of the phrase "greeted me with"?

The idiom "greeted me with" is derived from the verb "greet," which means to say hello or acknowledge someone's presence. The word "greet" comes from the Old English word "grētan," which means approaching, saluting, or addressing. The word "with" comes from the Old English word "wiþ" which means against, from, or by. The combination of "greet" and "with" has been used since at least the 14th century to describe how someone welcomes another person.

  • What are some synonyms for "greeted me with"?

Some synonyms for "greeted me with" are "welcomed me with, " received me with, "met me with, "confronted me with," or "surprised me with."

  • What are some antonyms for "greeted me with"?

Some antonyms for "greeted me with" are "ignored me," "avoided me," "rejected me," "insulted me," or "offended me."

  • Is "greeted me with" limited to human interactions?

No, it can be used to describe how anything or anyone receives or welcomes another person or thing, not just limited to human interactions.

  • Can "greeted me with" be used in written communication as well?

Yes, it can be used in written communication to describe how someone or something was received or welcomed in a particular way.

  • Is there a difference between "greeted me with" and "welcomed me with"?

They are often used interchangeably, but "welcomed me with" specifically implies a warm and hospitable reception, whereas "greeted me with" is more general and can encompass various ways of reception.

  • Can "greeted me with" be used metaphorically?

Yes, it can be used metaphorically to describe how someone or something is received emotionally or figuratively. For example, "The news of her success was greeted with enthusiasm by her supporters.

  • How do you use "greeted me with" in different types of sentences?

You can use "greeted me with" in different types of sentences by changing the structure and purpose of the sentence according to the message or information you want to convey.

  • Is "greeted me with" a common idiom in English?

Yes, "greeted me with" is a fairly common idiom used to convey how someone or something is received or welcomed in a particular manner, and it is frequently used in everyday language.

Final Thoughts About "Greeted Me With"

The idiom "greeted me with" is a common and helpful way to describe how someone welcomes another person. It can reveal much about the mood, attitude, feeling, relationship, or connection between the two people involved. It can also be used to express both positive and negative emotions or actions.

Some of the main points to remember about this idiom are:

  • It means to welcome someone with a specific expression, attitude, or action.
  • It usually involves a verb and an object after the word "with."
  • It can be used in different tenses, voices, moods, and types of sentences.
  • It can have different connotations depending on the context and tone of the sentence.
  • It has some related expressions that have similar meanings.

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