Common American Phrases in Everyday Contexts (229 page)

What'll you have?
Go to What'll it be?

What's coming off?
AND
What's going down?
What is happening here?; What is going to happen? (Slang. Also a greeting inquiry.)
B
ILL
: Hey, man! What's coming off? T
OM
: Oh, nothing, just a little car fire
.
B
OB
: Hey, we just got here! What's going down? B
ILL
: What does it look like? This is a party, dude!

What's cooking?
What is happening?; How are you? (Colloquial or slang.)
B
OB
: Hi, Fred! What's cooking? F
RED
: How are you doing, Bob?
B
OB
: Hi, Bill! What's cooking? B
ILL
: Nothing. Anything happening with you?

What's eating
someone
?
What is bothering someone? (Slang.)
T
OM
: Go away! B
OB
: Gee, Tom, what's eating you?
B
ILL
: Tom's so grouchy lately. What's eating him? B
OB
: Beats me!

What's going down?
Go to What's coming off?

What's going on (around here)?
What is happening in this place?; What is the explanation for the strange things that are happening here?
B
ILL
: There was an accident in the factory this morning. B
OB
: That's the second one this week. What's going on around here?
M
ARY
: What's all the noise? What's going on? S
UE
: We're just having a little party.

What's happening?
a general and vague greeting inquiry. (Colloquial.)
B
OB
: Hey, man! What's happening? B
ILL
: Nothing. How you be?
B
ILL
: Hi, Tom. T
OM
: Hi, Bill. What's happening? B
ILL
: Nothing much.

What's in it for me?
What is the benefit for me in this scheme?
B
OB
: Now, that plan is just what is needed. B
ILL
: What's in it for me? What do I get out of it?
S
UE
: We signed the Wilson contract yesterday. M
ARY
: That's great! What's in it for me?