Common American Phrases in Everyday Contexts (231 page)

What's the catch?
What is the drawback?; What are the negative factors? (Colloquial.)
B
ILL
: How would you like to have these seven books for your very own? S
ALLY
: What's the catch? B
ILL
: There's no catch. You have to pay for them, but there's no catch
.
B
OB
: Here, take this dollar bill. S
UE
: So, what's the catch? B
OB
: No catch. It's counterfeit.

What's the damage?
What are the charges?; How much is the bill? (Slang.)
B
ILL
: That was delicious. Waiter, what's the damage? W
AITER
: I'll get your check, sir
.
W
AITER
: Your check, sir. T
OM
: Thanks. B
ILL
: What's the damage, Tom? Let me pay my share. T
OM
: Nonsense, I'll get it. B
ILL
: Okay this time, but I owe you one.

What's the deal?
What's going on?; Why are you doing this?
M
ARY
: What's the deal? S
UE
: Oh, hi, Mary. We're just cleaning out the closet
.
B
ILL
: Hi, you guys. What's the deal? B
OB
: Nothing, just a little misunderstanding between Fred and Jane.

What's the drill? 1
.
What is the assignment?; What am I meant to do?
B
ILL
: I just came in. What's the drill? T
OM
: We have to carry all this stuff out to the truck
.
“What's the drill?” asked Mary. “Why are all these people sitting around like this?
”
2
.
What are the rules and procedures for doing this?
B
ILL
: I need to apply for new license plates. What's the drill? Is there a lot of paperwork? C
LERK
: Yes, there is
.
B
ILL
: I have to get my computer repaired. Who do I talk to? What's the drill? B
OB
: You have to get a purchase order from Fred.

What's the good word?
a vague greeting inquiry. (Colloquial and familiar. A direct answer is not expected.)
B
OB
: Hey, Tom! What's the good word? T
OM
: Hi, Bob! How are you doing?
S
UE
: What's happening? J
ANE
: Hi, Sue. What's the good word?