Common American Phrases in Everyday Contexts (223 page)

What do you expect?
Isn't this just the kind of thing you would expect? (Said with sarcastic resignation.)
Yeah, the IRS will squeeze every single dollar out of you. What do you expect?
What do you expect? Cats scratch people. It's in their job description.

What do you know?
a typical greeting inquiry. (Informal. A specific answer is not expected. Often pronounced Wha-da-ya know?)
B
OB
: Hey, Tom! What do you know? T
OM
: Look who's here! Hi, Bob!
J
OHN
: What do you know? M
ARY
: Nothing. How are you? J
OHN
: Okay.

What do you know for sure?
How are you?; What do you know? (Familiar. An elaboration of What do you know? Does not require a direct answer.)
T
OM
: Hey, man! What do you know for sure? B
ILL
: Howdy, Tom. What's new?
J
OHN
: How are you doing, old buddy? B
ILL
: Great, you ugly beast! J
OHN
: What do you know for sure? B
ILL
: Nothing.

What do you say? 1
.
Hello, how are you? (Informal.)
B
OB
: What do you say, Tom? T
OM
: Hey, man. How are you doing?
B
ILL
: What do you say, man? F
RED
: What's the good word, you old so-and-so?
2
.
What is your answer or decision?
B
ILL
: I need an answer from you now. What do you say? B
OB
: Don't rush me!
S
UE
: I can offer you seven hundred dollars for your old car. What do you say? B
OB
: I'll take it!
3
.
an expression urging a child to say Thank you or
please
.
When Aunt Sally gave Billy some candy, his mother said to Billy, “What do you say?” “Thank you,” said Billy
.
M
OTHER
: Here's a nice glass of milk. C
HILD
: Good. M
OTHER
: What do you say? C
HILD
: Very good. M
OTHER
: No. What do you say? C
HILD
: Thank you.

What do you think?
What is your opinion?
M
ARY
: This is our new company stationery. What do you think? B
ILL
: Stunning. Simply stunning
.
M
ARY
: We're considering moving out into the country. What do you think? S
UE
: Sounds good to me.