many happy returns

Idioms

Also, many happy returns of the day. Happy birthday and many more of them, as in I came by to wish you many happy returns. This expression was first recorded in a letter of 1779 where the writer meant “Happy New Year,” but the present meaning has persisted since the second half of the 1800s.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Procrastinators may find what early filers already know: Tax year 2022 is not producing as many happy returns as in previous years due to a number of changes, including the expiration of some pandemic-era tax breaks.

From Seattle Times

It was a case of many happy returns — and serves, forehands, backhands, volleys and drop shots, too.

From Fox News

"To those of you also celebrating your birthdays today at home, with or without your loved ones - we send you many happy returns."

From Fox News

A message accompanying the video said: “To those of you also celebrating your birthdays today at home, with or without your loved ones - we send you many happy returns.”

From The Guardian

"To those of you also celebrating your birthdays today at home, with or without your loved ones - we send you many happy returns," it said.

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023