what's the good of

1. Also, what's the use of. What purpose or advantage is there in, as in What's the good of crying when you can't do anything about it? or What's the use of getting a doctorate in philosophy when you won't be able to get a job afterward? This idiom was first recorded in 1701.

Example Sentences

He added: "What's the good of me causing my wife serious harm? I've got no-one - no brothers, no sisters, no aunts, no uncles. Without my wife, I'm finished."

From BBC

“But I can’t. I’ve got to work — work all the time. … What’s the good of books and poems? I don’t get any time to read. If I should stop for awhile everything would go to smash; things would boil over and burn.”

From New York Times

For a major nonprofit cultural institution, what’s the good of that?

From Los Angeles Times

So I think people get a misguided idea of what’s the good of a poll if it’s not perfect, if it’s not proven to be perfect.

From Slate

“What’s the good of wondering and pondering and wasting time thinking about it,” said Tannehill, who has a 5-5 record and missed five starts with an injured right throwing shoulder.

From Seattle Times