Словарь американских идиом: 8000 единиц

[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 not] See: WHAT HAVE YOU.

[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 gander./

[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 their house red, white, and blue. What’s the big idea?/ •/What’s the idea of coming in here after I told you not to?/ •/I heard you are spreading false rumors about me, what’s the big idea?/

[what’s the idea] See: WHAT’S THE BIG IDEA.

[what’s up] or [what’s cooking] also [what’s doing]{slang} What is happening or planned; what is wrong. — Often used as a greeting. •/"What’s up?" asked Bob as he joined his friends. "Are you going to the movies?"/ •/What’s cooking? Why is the crowd in the street?/ •/What’s doing tonight at the club?/ •/Hello Bob, what’s up?/ Compare: WHAT’S WITH.

[what’s what] or [what is what]{n. phr.}, {informal} 1. What each thing is in a group; one thing from another. •/The weeds and the flowers are coming up together, and we can’t tell what is what./ 2. All that needs to be known about something; the important facts or skills. •/Richard did the wrong thing, because he is new here and doesn’t yet know what’s what./ •/When Bob started his new job, it took him several weeks to learn what was what./ •/When it comes to cooking, Jenny knows what’s what./ •/Harold began to tell the teacher how to teach the class, and the teacher told him what was what./ Compare: WHICH IS WHICH, WHO’S WHO.

[what’s with] or [what’s up with] also [what’s by]{slang} What is happening to; what is wrong; how is everything; what can you tell me about. •/Mary looks worried. What’s with her?/ •/What’s with our old friends?/ •/I’m fine. What’s with you?/

[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.

[wheel] See: BIG CHEESE or BIG WHEEL, GREASE THE WHEELS, PUT ONE’S SHOULDER TO THE WHEEL.