How goes the enemy ?

Posted by Masakim on November 13, 2001

In Reply to: How goes the enemy ? posted by James Briggs on November 13, 2001

: : I want you to answer my question. In Japan, one dicdionary says that How goes the enemy ? means
: : What time is it now ?

: : I have ever asked several English native speakers about this phrase, but nobody knew it .

: : Please give me all your comments about this phrase.

: : Thank you.

: Go to the link - Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable

how goes the enemy?
what time is it? Slightly facetious catchphrase apparently derived from a line in the play _The Dramatist_ by Frederick Reynolds.
From _Dictionary of Catchphrases_ by Nigel Rees

[Ennui the Timekiller:] I've an idea I don't like the Lady Waitfor't - she wishes to trick me out of my match with Miss Coutney, and if I could trick her in return - (_takes out his watch_). How goes the enemy - only one o'clock! I thought it had been that an hour ago. (_The Dramatist_)