10 Best Reponses To “Have A Good One”

There are a lot of friendly ways to say “goodbye” in English and it can be difficult to come up with a natural response. In the case of “have a good one,” what should you say back? This article will give you some natural responses to “have a good one.”

How Should I Respond To “Have A Good One”?

Here are the phrases we’ll be taking a look at in this article:

  • You too
  • Thanks
  • Will do
  • I’ll try my best
  • And you
  • You as well
  • That’s the goal
  • Don’t tell me what to do
  • Take care
  • Back at you
Best Reponses To Have A Good One

The preferred option is “you too.” As “have a good one” is a well-wishing phrase, “you too” is the most common way to respond. It communicates that you return the same well-wishes without clunkily repeating the phrase in its entirety.

“Have a good one” is a colloquial phrase. Many people are confused when they first hear it and think something like, “have a good what?”

“Have a good one” is like saying “have a good day” or “have a good night.” It communicates that the speaker wishes for you to have a good time doing whatever you do after speaking with them.

As with other well-wishing phrases, repeating the phrase back to the person isn’t a natural response. Let’s take a closer look at the best options.

You Too

“You too” is the typical response to well-wishing phrases like “have a good one.” It’s quick and to the point, making it a great option if you’re trying to leave.

“You too” is a shortened way to communicate “I hope you have a good one too.” Repeating the whole phrase like that isn’t natural, so we say “you too.”

While “you too” sounds colloquial, it’s an appropriate response for well-wishes in all but the most formal settings.

Here’s what this phrase looks like in context:

  • Have a good one!
  • You too!

Thanks

“Thanks” is a great way to show appreciation for receiving well-wishes. “Thanks” and “thank you” are most commonly paired with an additional response when responding to “have a good one.”

It’s common to prefaces any response to “have a good one” with “thanks” or “thank you” but it’s not required. It can make your response sound more polite and sincere.

“Thanks” is typically paired with a response that returns the well-wishes to the initial speaker such as “you too” or “you as well.”

You can also respond with “thanks” or “thank you” alone. This is common but generally seen as less polite than pairing the “thanks” with a well-wish.

Here’s what that might look like:

  • Have a good one.
  • Thanks, you too.

Will Do

“Will do” is a good response to “have a good one” in both colloquial and professional settings. It doesn’t return the well-wishes, but it positively accepts them.

There isn’t a lot of intuitive logic to responding to “have a good one” with “will do.” It might feel impolite to accept well-wishes without returning them, but it’s perfectly acceptable.

While it’s not the most polite or the most gracious way to respond to “have a good one,” it’s still seen as friendly and isn’t inherently impolite.

Here’s what it would look like:

  • Have a good one.
  • Will do! Bye.

I’ll Try My Best

“I’ll try my best” is a somewhat weary way to respond to “have a good one.” It’s often used with a joking tone but implies a sense of exhaustion or general hardship.

Here are some situations that might lead you to answer “have a good one” with “I’ll try my best”:

  • You’ve been extremely busy
  • You haven’t been sleeping well
  • You’ve been going through a rough time
  • You’re about to go somewhere you don’t want to go

These are situations where you would be tired, dreading something, generally unwell, or generally weary.

While “I’ll try my best” communicates weariness, it’s not considered oversharing and is fine to use with complete strangers.

Here’s what this would look like:

  • Have a good one, okay?
  • I’ll try my best. See you later.

And You

“And you” has the same basic meaning as “you too.” It’s a phrase you can use to return well wishes, so it’s a polite response to “have a good one.”

“Have a good one” is typically used in American English and Australian English. “And you” is most commonly used in British English.

While you’re unlikely to hear “have a good one” in the UK, people who say “have a good one” will know what “and you” means.

“And you” may sound a bit formal outside of the UK, but it’s a perfectly acceptable option if you speak British English and find yourself having to come up with a response to “have a good one.”

Here’s what that may look like:

  • Have a good one!
  • And you.

You As Well

“You as well” also has the same meaning as “you too.” “You as well” is used in both American and British English, but it can sound a bit formal in American English.

“You as well” is another way of saying “you too.” In American English, “you as well” is more formal than “you too” making it more appropriate for formal or professional settings.

It would be natural to preface “you as well” with “thank you” but not with “thanks.” The “thank you” makes it more polite but isn’t necessary.

Here’s how it could look in context:

  • Have a good one.
  • Thank you. You as well.

That’s The Goal

“That’s the goal” is a jovial response to “have a good one.” It’s a good way to communicate optimism or contribute to a cheerful atmosphere.

It’s easy to get “that’s the goal” confused with “I’ll try my best.” They have a very similar literal meaning, but they have opposite connotations.

Where “I’ll try my best” is weary,” “that’s the goal” comes across as cheerful. It’s something you say when you’re optimistic you’re going to have a good day or when you want to project that sort of optimism.

“That’s the goal” can be made weary with a weary delivery, but it will be seen as less wearing than “I’ll try my best.”

Here’s what it looks like in context:

  • Have a good one.
  • That’s the goal!

Don’t Tell Me What To Do

“Don’t tell me what to do” is a snarky response to “have a good one.” It’s only appropriate to use with close friends and family members. Using this phrase with anyone else will come across as extremely rude.

Be careful with this response. It’s a common snarky response to any well-wishing comment but will be extremely rude if you’re not close with the person you say it to.

You wouldn’t say this to coworkers or acquaintances, for example. Here are some examples of who this response might be appropriate for:

  • Your sibling
  • Your spouse
  • Your best friend
  • Close friends

It’s generally safe to respond to “have a good one” with “don’t tell me what to do” if you’re speaking to anyone you have a well-established snarky rapport with. It’s meant to be a joke.

Here’s what it looks like in context:

  • Have a good one!
  • Don’t tell me what to do.

Take Care

“Take care” is a polite response to “have a good one.” “Take care” has a similar meaning as “have a good one” so it’s a good way to return well wishes to the initial speaker.

“Take care” is often seen as more sincere than saying something like “you too.” “You too” is the most common response, so it can come off as a stock response.

“Take care” emphasizes your well-wishes for the person you’re talking to, so it’s a good response if you want to come off as particularly sincere.

Here’s how it might look:

  • Have a good one.
  • Take care.

Note that “take care” works as a replacement for “goodbye” on its own. As such, “have a good one” can even be used as a response to “take care.” You can also combine “take care” with other responses to “have a good one.” For example:

  • Have a good one.
  • You as well. Take care.

It’s redundant, but it’s a common way to phrase your response.

Back At You

“Back at you” has the same meaning as “you too.” The difference is “back at you” is more informal and tends to come off as playful or cheerful.

While generally more informal and playful, “back at you” is still appropriate in professional settings. It wouldn’t be unusual to say “back at you” to a coworker or even a supervisor.

“Back at you” is also appropriate in any informal setting. Keep in mind that “back out you” is usually communicating a genuine cheerfulness. Without the cheerfulness it will come off as sarcastic, which you’ll only want to use with someone you have an established sarcastic rapport with. 

If you don’t have an established sarcastic rapport, using “back at you” with a dry delivery may be perceived as rude.

Here’s what it looks like in context:

  • Have a good one.
  • Back at you!

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