or what

Idioms  

1. A phrase following a statement that adds emphasis or suggests an option. For example, in Is this a good movie or what? the phrase asks for confirmation or agreement. However, it also may ask for an alternative, as in Is this book a biography or what? In the 1700s it generally asked for a choice among a series of options, and it still has this function, as in In what does John excel? in imagination? in reasoning powers? in mathematics? or what?

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Example Sentences

"I don't know why these individuals attacked or what they are trying to do, but I refuse to let these dangerous acts undermine New Jersey's commitment to public safety," Sherrill said on X.

From Barron's • May 31, 2026

I do feel like I can read a room really quickly and I can kind of tell what people are thinking or what people are feeling.

From Los Angeles Times • May 28, 2026

Religion, or what Mr. Dasgupta refers to as “political theology,” plays an important part in the author’s conception of state formation.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026

PlayStation did not say whether there would be any price increases for the other subscription tiers or what might happen to the 12-month subscription.

From BBC • May 18, 2026

He swallows and nods his head, though I don’t know who or what he’s nodding to.

From "King and the Dragonflies" by Kacen Callender