What does how do you mean?

"How do you mean?" is a phrase used to clarify someone's statement or question. It essentially means:

* "I don't understand what you're saying, could you explain it further?"

* "Can you elaborate on that point?"

* "I need more information to understand your meaning."

It's a polite way to ask for more details or to make sure you're interpreting something correctly.

Here are some examples of how "How do you mean?" can be used:

* Person 1: "I think we should just cancel the project."

* Person 2: "How do you mean? I thought you were really excited about it."

* Person 1: "The deadline is too tight, and I'm not sure we have the resources."

* Person 1: "I'm going to the beach this weekend."

* Person 2: "How do you mean? Which beach?"

* Person 1: "The one by the lighthouse."

It's a versatile phrase that can be used in various contexts, both informal and formal.