The Usage of "Like Anything"

Question

I am a non-native English speaker from India. I would like to know the usage of "Like anything" when you want to emphasize something you want to say. For example, "He beat him like anything", "She laughs at me like anything". Do native speakers use this kind of language when they want to intensify their sentences? Out of all, is it correct to use "Like anything"? Can someone please shed some light on this. Thank you in advance.

oerkelens · Accepted Answer

I have become familiar with the expression like anything as a general intensifier through Indian English, where it seems to be used very often - I have not heard it used regularly in any other dialect, which doesn't mean it is not used at all.

However, that does not mean I agree with Jonas' comment that therefore it should be avoided. As an intensifier, it is readily understood, also by people that have not heard it before, and it is certainly an established expression in what may be the fastest growing, and soon-to-be most-spoken, dialect of English.

I expect native speakers of Indian English to use this expression, as well as other particular expressions that adorn the Indian dialect of English.

It certainly causes less confusion to speakers of other dialect than the British use of a rubber - or for that matter, the Indian use of bottom to mean the lower part of one's clothing.

FumbleFingers · Answer

OED covers the usage under like sense B 1b...

In colloquial phrases denoting vigour or rapidity of action, as like anything, like a shot, like fun, like blazes, etc.

They have citations going back to 1681 with like any thing, but it's not until 1871 that we get the single-word version, in Lewis Carroll's Through the Looking-glass...

They [the Walrus and the Carpenter] wept like anything to see
   Such quantities of sand:
   “If this were only cleared away,”
   They said “it would be grand!”

In short, the usage is long-established, and has no particular associations with "Indian English" or any other regional dialect. But it remains rather colloquial/informal.

Tony Chambefs · Answer

I heard "like anything" from my father, whose family came from rural Iowa. I think I've also heard "like everything," but I may be mistaken. I used it myself just the other day (I grew up in southern California in the 1940s-50s, but I've always assumed it came from my midwestern roots.)

Answered by Tony Chambefs on December 21, 2020

The Usage of "Like Anything"

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