Common American Phrases in Everyday Contexts (232 page)

What's the matter (with you)? 1
.
Is there something wrong with you?; Are you ill?
B
ILL
: What's the matter with you? F
RED
: I have this funny feeling in my chest. B
ILL
: Sounds serious
.
B
OB
: I have to stay home again today. B
ILL
: What's the matter with you? Have you seen a doctor?
M
ARY
: Oh, I'm so miserable! S
UE
: What's the matter? M
ARY
: I lost my contact lenses and my glasses
.
J
OHN
: Ouch! A
LICE
: What's the matter? J
OHN
: I bit my tongue
.
2
.
How very stupid of you! How can you be so stupid? (Usually said in anger.)
As Fred stumbled over the step and dumped the birthday cake on the floor, Jane screamed, “What's the matter with you? The party is in fifteen minutes and we have no cake!
”
M
ARY
: I think I just lost the Wilson account. S
UE
: What! What's the matter with you? That account pays your salary!

What's the problem? 1
.
What problem are you presenting to me?
B
ILL
(coming in): I need to talk to you about something. T
OM
: What's the problem, Bill?
“What's the problem?” said Mary, peering at her secretary over her glasses
.
2
.
a question asking what the problem is and implying that there should not be a problem.
C
HILD
(crying): He hit me! F
ATHER
: What's the problem? C
HILD
: He hit me! F
ATHER
: Are you hurt? C
HILD
: No. F
ATHER
: Then, stop crying.

What's the scam?
What's happening around here? (Slang.)
T
OM
: Hey, man! What's the scam? B
ILL
: Greetings, oh ugly one! What's happening? T
OM
: Not much. Want to order a pizza? B
ILL
: Always
.
John burst into the room and shouted, “Yo! What's the scam?” It took the prayer meeting a little time to get reorganized.

What's the scoop?
What is the news?; What's new with you? (Slang.)
B
OB
: Did you hear about Tom? M
ARY
: No, what's the scoop?
“Hi, you guys!” beamed John's little brother. “What's the scoop?
”