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Since I’m new to the English language and I have a learning disability and have a difficult time understanding things. I saw a Social Media argument (will give the full conversation to show), and I am hoping that a person breaks down this sentence “At least, that's how you're coming across to the rest of us.” in that argument I’m providing below.

It goes with this:

Person1: Words are immaterial. How does an Atheist account for words? Words have no shape, colour, length or width.

Person2: LOL

Person1: Well?

Person2: It's a moderately funny quip. That's all.

Person1: You still haven’t answered.

Person2: I don't know where to start. First off, you don't know what atheism means. I suggest the Oxford English Dictionary as a starting point. It doesn't mean you don't believe in immaterial concepts. Of course not. I suspect you're a timewaster, though. Have a great day and life.

Person1: What are immaterial concepts to an Atheist? I suspect you don't know.

Person1: She blocked me. Afraid of the truth I suspect.

And then a third person steps in:

Person3 to Person1: No, pretty sure she blocked you because you were responding in bad faith, and being extremely insufferable. At least, that's how you're coming across to the rest of us. Do better. There are a lot of truth lovers who won't put up with your shit, and they shouldn't.

Person2 to Person3: I blocked him out of boredom.

Person3: Blocking is such a great feature.

If someone can explain that sentence for me in context of that conversation, that would be great!

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  • It’s to, not for. “To come across to” is the phrase you want to consider.
    – Xanne
    Commented Sep 6, 2023 at 6:56
  • Rest also has the following definition: noun (OTHER PART), the other things, people, or parts that are left
    – Kimbi
    Commented Sep 6, 2023 at 7:00
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    "That is the impression you give to all the other people who are following the conversation." Commented Sep 6, 2023 at 7:57
  • Generally speaking, a person who says "the rest of us" either knows how everyone else feels, perhaps from having discussed the situation with them back-channel, or by assessing what everyone but you has been saying, or the person simply assumes they have such knowledge of what others are thinking. The words establish a "you versus us" scenario, whether that is truly the case or not. Commented Sep 6, 2023 at 11:26

1 Answer 1

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At least, that's how you're coming across to the rest of us.

At least, that's the impression [that] you give to the rest of us.

OED

To come across

2. intransitive. ...Also more generally: to be perceived in a specified way; to give a specified impression.

1917 Lenine's [sic] particular objection to capitalism in America is that it won't come across like capitalism in Germany. Washington Post 21 November 6/3

1974 O'Brien comes across as a deeply dedicated party man. Publishers Weekly 5 August 57/1

1998 The radio broadcast of the speech came across badly. M. A. Butler, Cautious Visionary 168

2009 If Salander had come in..wearing a twin-set and pearls and sensible shoes, she would have came across as a con artist. ‘R. Keeland’, translation of S. Larsson, Girl who kicked Hornets' Nest xxv. 493

The rest of us

the rest = the group excluding yourself.

(OED the rest: all the related things/persons, or everything/everyone else of a similar type,)

Compare

"I will take three of the apples and you can have the rest."

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