W

[what if]

What would, or will, happen if; what is the difference if; suppose that.

What if you go instead of me?

What if we paint it red. How will it look?

"You can't go now" said mother. "What if I do?" Dick asked.

* /What if Jack  […]

[what is what]

See: [WHAT'S WHAT].

[what not]

See: [WHAT HAVE YOU].

[what of it] or [what about it]  {interj.},  {informal}

What is wrong with it; what do you care.

Martha said "That boy is wearing a green coat." Jan answered, "What of it?"

"John missed the bus." "What of it?"

Syn.: [SO WHAT].

[what with]  {prep.}

Because; as a result of.

I couldn't visit you, what with the snowstorm and the cold I had.

What with dishes to wash and children to put to bed, mother was late to the meeting.

Compare: [ON ACCOUNT OF].

[what's cooking]

See: [WHAT'S UP].

[what's doing]

See: [WHAT'S UP].

[what's sauce for the goose, is sauce for the gander]

What goes for the one, also goes for the other. — A proverb.

* /If Herb gets a speeding ticket, so should Erica, who was right behind him; after all, what's sauce for the goose is sauce for the  […]

[what's the big idea] or [what's the idea]  {informal}

What is the purpose; what do you have in mind; why did you do that; what are you doing; how dare you. — Often used to question someone or something that is not welcome.

* /The Smith family painted  […]

[what's the idea]

See: [WHAT'S THE BIG IDEA].