Common American Phrases in Everyday Contexts (233 page)

What's the world coming to?
AND
What's this world coming to?
Things seem to be getting worse, and people are becoming more rude and inconsiderate all the time. (Perhaps a little old-fashioned.)
Doesn't anybody stop at a stop sign these days? What's the world coming to?
H
ELEN
: Did you see what she was wearing! What's this world coming to?

What's (there) to know?
This doesn't require any special knowledge—so what are you talking about?
B
ILL
: Do you know how to wind a watch? B
OB
: Wind a watch? What's there to know?
S
UE
: We must find someone who knows how to repair a broken lawn mower. T
OM
: What's to know? Just a little tightening here and there. That's all it needs.

What's this world coming to?
Go to What's the world coming to?

What's to know?
Go to What's (there) to know?

What's up?
What is happening?; What are you doing lately?
B
OB
: Hi, Bill. What's up? B
ILL
: Yo, Bob! Nothing going on around here
.
T
OM
(answering the telephone): Hello? B
ILL
: Hi, this is Bill. T
OM
: What's up? B
ILL
: You want to go camping? T
OM
: Sure.

What's with
someone or something
?
Why is someone or something in that condition?; What's going on with someone or something?
M
ARY
: What's with Tom? He looks depressed. B
ILL
: He broke up with Sally
.
“What's with this stupid coffeepot? It won't get hot!” groused Alice.

What's wrong?
There is something wrong here.; What has happened?
M
ARY
: Oh, good grief! B
ILL
: What's wrong? M
ARY
: I forgot to feed the cat
.
S
UE
(crying): Hello, Sally? S
ALLY
: Sue, what's wrong? S
ALLY
: Oh, nothing. Tom left me.

What's your deal?
What's your problem?; What's wrong with you?
I
DA
: What's the matter? What's your deal? D
AN
: Nothing. I'm just tired
.
What's your deal, dude? That's one really bad mood.