What do you mean?

[0230] Could you repeat that?

🎲 Come again? (Informal)
English Idioms
All Idioms

Explanation

  • A polite request asking someone to say something again, usually because it wasn't heard or understood clearly the first time.

Origin

  • A standard polite request using the modal verb Could for politeness.
  • Basic functional language for managing auditory comprehension issues.

Synonyms & Related Expressions

  • Could you say that again?
  • Come again? (Informal, see 0231)
  • I'm sorry, I didn't catch that. (See 0232)
  • Pardon? / Excuse me? / Sorry? (Shorter, can signal needing repetition)
  • What was that? (Informal)

Alternatives

Slang/Informal:

  • Say again?
  • Run that by me again?
  • What was that?
  • Huh? (Very informal, potentially rude)

More Formal:

  • Would you mind repeating that?
  • I beg your pardon, could you say that again? (Very formal/slightly archaic)

Emphatic (If you've asked multiple times):

  • Could you PLEASE repeat that? (Emphasis on 'please')
  • One more time, slowly?

Situational Appropriateness

  • Appropriate in almost all situations, from very formal to casual.
  • It's a standard polite way to handle hearing difficulties.

Misunderstanding Warnings

  • Very unlikely to be misunderstood.
  • Ensure the tone remains polite; a demanding tone could sound rude.

Examples

  • Sorry, it's loud in here. Could you repeat that?
  • I zoned out for a second, could you repeat that?
  • Could you repeat the instructions, please?

Dialogue

Waiter: Today's special is the pan-seared salmon with roasted asparagus.

Customer: Sorry, could you repeat that? The music is a bit loud.

Waiter: Of course. I said today's special is the pan-seared salmon with roasted asparagus.

Customer: Ah, okay. Thanks!

Social Media Examples

  • (In a video call transcript): Speaker B: Could you repeat that? Your audio cut out.
  • (Comment on a video with unclear audio): Timestamp 2:15 could you repeat that? Couldn't make out the name.

Response Patterns

  • The speaker usually repeats their previous statement, sometimes more slowly or loudly.
  • Sure, I said...
  • Yes, what I said was...
  • They might check for understanding after repeating: Did you get that?

Common Follow-up Questions/Actions

After asking Could you repeat that?:

  • The asker focuses on listening to the repeated information.

After hearing the repetition:

  • The asker usually confirms understanding (Okay, got it, Thanks) or asks for further clarification if still needed (Sorry, I still didn't catch the last part).

Conversation Starter

  • No.
  • A reactive request within a conversation.

Intonation

  • Spoken with a rising, questioning intonation at the end.
  • Stress typically on repeat. Could you REPEAT that?
  • Tone is generally polite and apologetic for needing the repetition.

Generation Differences

  • Universal.

Regional Variations

  • Universally understood and used.
  • Short forms like Pardon? (more UK/formal US) or Sorry? (more UK/Aus/NZ) are common regional/stylistic variants.
What do you mean?
🎲 Come again? (Informal)