Learn English with Good Will Hunting as we explore those moments when you just have to prove someone wrong. Maybe someone doubted you, underestimated your abilities, or tried to make you feel small.
In this unforgettable scene, Will faces that exact situation—and delivers one of the most iconic movie comebacks of all time: “How do you like them apples?”
👇 Watch the full video lesson below, then scroll down to explore the key phrases and hidden meaning behind Will’s bold moment.
Key Terms from the Good Will Hunting Scene
1) "Is that your thing?"
📖 Used to ask if something is part of someone’s personal style, interest, or habit.
💬 “Is hiking your thing?”
💬 “Being late—your thing or just today?”
2) Obscure
📖 Means rare, unknown, or hard to understand.
💬 “She only reads obscure novels no one else has heard of.”
💬 “The meaning was a bit too obscure for me.”
3) Pawn it off as your own
📖 Means to pretend someone else’s idea or work is yours—dishonestly.
💬 “He plagiarized my paper and pawned it off as his own.”
4) Certainties in life
📖 Things that are guaranteed to happen.
💬 “Death and taxes—life’s only certainties.”
💬 “One certainty? Time doesn’t stop for anyone.”
5) Dropped $150,000 education for $1.50 in late fees
📖 Will is saying he learned just as much at the library for almost no cost, making fun of expensive college tuition.
💡 “Dropped” = Spent a lot of money on something
💬 “I dropped $80 on dinner last night.”
💡 In the U.S., higher education is extremely expensive, so Will’s comment challenges the idea that only wealthy people have access to real knowledge.
6) Drive-thru
📖 A service (usually food or coffee) where you don’t have to leave your car.
💬 “We picked up lunch at the drive-thru.”
7) Unoriginal
📖 Describes something that is copied, boring, or lacking creativity.
💬 “Try something new—that idea is totally unoriginal.”
🆚 Opposite: Original
💬 “That’s such an original design!”
8) We could step outside
📖 A confrontational phrase, often used to challenge someone to a fight.
💬 “You’ve got a problem? We can step outside.”
⚠️ Use this only in dramatic or fictional contexts—not in polite conversation.
9) It’s cool
📖 A relaxed way to say “It’s okay” or “No worries.”
💬 “Sorry I forgot!” → “It’s cool, don’t worry about it.”
10) Wicked smart
📖 Boston slang meaning “very smart”. In Boston, “wicked” = “very”.
💬 “He’s wicked smart!”
💬 “That movie was wicked funny!”
11) Caramels
📖 Will jokes that eating caramels is just as random and traditional as getting coffee. He’s pointing out how silly social rituals can be.
💬 “Let’s grab coffee—or caramels, if you prefer.”
12) Arbitrary
📖 Means random or not based on logic.
💬 “The grading seemed arbitrary and unfair.”
💬 “That decision felt completely arbitrary.”
13) Embarrass
📖 To make someone feel awkward or ashamed, usually in public.
💬 “He embarrassed me in front of the whole group!”
14) Impression
📖 A first feeling or opinion about someone or something.
💬 “She made a great first impression in the interview.”
15) Michael Bolton clone
📖 A clone is an exact copy. In this scene, it’s an insult meaning the man looks like a cheesy version of the 80s soft rock singer Michael Bolton.
💬 “He’s such a Michael Bolton clone.” (Outdated, over-the-top, or not cool)
16) Idiom Spotlight | How Do You Like Them Apples?"
📖 This phrase is used to brag, boast, or prove someone wrong—especially after winning or achieving something.
💬 “I got the promotion. How do you like them apples?”
💬 “We won. How do you like them apples?”
Where Does It Come From?
The phrase dates back to World War I, when soldiers used a type of artillery called a “toffee apple” bomb. After firing it, they would yell: “How do you like them apples?” as a sarcastic taunt.
Later, it evolved into a phrase used in sports, arguments, or moments of triumph—just like Will’s moment in Good Will Hunting.
The line became iconic when Will says it to a Harvard student who had previously mocked him. After getting the girl’s number, he taps on the glass and says: “Do you like apples?” “Yeah.” “Well I got her number… How do you like them apples?”
💡 Use this phrase when you want to show confidence or prove someone wrong—playfully, of course!
▶️ Watch the YouTube Short below for a quick and fun explanation of the idiom’s origin and how to use it in everyday speech.
✅ Wrap-Up
We’ve explored one of the most confident phrases in English—“How do you like them apples?”—along with all the colorful expressions you’ll find when you learn English with Good Will Hunting.
If you enjoyed this lesson, like, subscribe, and share it with your friends. We’re a new channel and your support helps us keep creating awesome content.
Every week, we use scenes from your favorite films to help you:
✨ Read between the lines
🎙️ Talk the talk
👂 And sharpen your ears
And finally…
How do you like them apples? 😄
Keep learning, stay bold, and we’ll see you in the next lesson!
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