Q: What does "He means it" in the following conversation mean, please

Question

Hi there teachers, A cop says to the hero of a movie: Spread your hands and put them on the car.(The hero is reluctant to do what the cop said.)The cop says again: Do what I say or I'll break your face with it (The cop was carrying something in his hand). (And the hero refuses to do so. He is still reluctant to do so.)Seeing this another cop says: He means it. So, do exactly what he says. My question to you is: What's the meaning of "He means it" here, please? What exactly does it mean?Thanks to all.

GPY · Accepted Answer

He literally means "I'll break your face with it". I.e., he really will break your face with it.

Laborious · Answer

Thanks, teacher GPY. So, when somebody says they mean something, it means that they will really or indeed do that something?

Do we always have to have such a context in which somebody is reluctant or refuses to do something?

For example, can one use that in the following context, please?

Tim says to his sister: Give me my video game back or I won't return your story book to you.

Sister: Do you mean that? (Would using "Do you mean that?" be correct and/or natural here?)

Thanks again!

AlpheccaStars · Answer

LaboriousFor example, can one use that in the following context, please? Tim says to his sister: Give me my video game back or I won't return your story book to you.Sister: Do you mean that? (Would using "Do you mean that?" be correct and/or natural here?)

No.
Tim says to his sister: Give me my video game back or I won't return your story book to you. I really mean it!

She might say; You've got to be kidding, you big baby! Give me my story book, now!

Mother: Stop that bickering! I mean it! If you don't, there will be no TV tonight.

"I mean it." after a command usually comes with a threat to prove that you really do mean it.

GPY · Answer

Laborious So, when somebody says they mean something, it means that they will really or indeed do that something?

Yes, the usual phrase for that situation is "I mean it!" (or, when talking about someone else, "He/She/They/etc. mean(s) it").

As you probably know, "I mean .." has various other uses, such as prefacing further explanation when someone hasn't understood you.

LaboriousDo we always have to have such a context in which somebody is reluctant or refuses to do something?

"I mean it!" works in any situation where you need to insist that you really meant what you said. "Do you mean it/that?" can be used in any situation where you want to question someone's real intent. Your example looks feasible to me. Arguably it is towards the weaker end of the situations in which you would say it.

Witty scarf 854 · Answer

"He means it" simply stands for a serious word that whoever said it was not kidding nor joking; that he would really do the consequence of what he had warned about if he didn't get what he wants or things that he asked.

Q: What does "He means it" in the following conversation mean, please

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