how about them apples

The phrase "how do you like them apples?" is a colloquial, often playful or mocking expression used to taunt or tease someone after achieving a victory or delivering surprising information. It is similar in meaning to "how do you like that?" and is often said to highlight an outcome that the other person might find unwelcome or surprising. The origin of the phrase is somewhat unclear but it dates back at least to the late 19th century, with documented uses as early as 1895. Some suggest connections to World War I, where "apples" referred to certain types of grenades or mortars (nicknamed "toffee apples"), but the expression existed before that time. It gained wider popular recognition partly through its use in popular films like Good Will Hunting (1997), where it is famously used in a clever retort. In short, it's a rhetorical question used after proving someone wrong or coming out on top in a situation, used to provoke a reaction or emphasize success or superiority.