Common American Phrases in Everyday Contexts (225 page)

What else is new?
Go to (So,) what else is new?

What for?
Why?; For what reason?
A: I want you to clean your room. B: What for? It's clean enough
.
A: You need to leave now. B: What for? Did I do something wrong?

What gives?
What happened?; What went wrong?; What's the problem?
B
ILL
: Hi, you guys. What gives? B
OB
: Nothing, just a little misunderstanding. Tom's a little angry
.
B
OB
: Where's my wallet? What gives? T
OM
: I think one of those roughnecks who just walked by us has borrowed it for a little while.

What goes around, comes around
.
The results of things that one has done will someday come back to bother one.
So, he finally gets to see the results of his activities. Whatever goes around, comes around
.
Now he is the victim of his own policies. Whatever goes around comes around.

What happened?
What went wrong here?
B
OB
(approaching a crowd): What happened? T
OM
(with Bob): What's wrong? B
YSTANDER
: Just a little mix-up. A car wanted to drive on the sidewalk, that's all.
There was a terrible noise, an explosion that shook the house. Bob looked at Jane and said, “What happened?
”

What (have) you been up to?
a greeting inquiry. (A detailed answer may be expected.)
M
ARY
: Hello, Jane. What have you been up to? J
ANE
: Been up to no good. What about you? M
ARY
: Yeah. Me, too
.
J
OHN
: Bill, baby! What you been up to? B
ILL
: Nothing really. What about you? J
OHN
: The same, I guess.

What he's having
.
I would like to have the same as he ordered. (A response to a waiter or bartender. Also in other persons.)
B
OB
: I think I'd like a cup of coffee with cream. W
AITER
: And you, sir? T
OM
: What he's having
.
Q: Can I get you something to drink? A: A lemonade would be nice. No. I changed my mind. What he's having.

What I wouldn't give for a
something
!
I would give almost anything for something, especially food or drink.; I would really like to have something.
I am so thirsty. It's really hot. What I wouldn't give for a cold glass of tea!
A
NDY
: Hey, Don, would you like a can of soda? D
ON
: I guess, but what I wouldn't give for a nice cold beer!