what's the matter

1. What is the difficulty or problem? What troubles or ails you? For example, You look upset—what's the matter? or Can you tell me what's the matter with my car? This idiom uses matter in the sense of “the essence of something,” in this case a problem. It was first recorded in 1469. Also see what's with.

Example Sentences

He’s like, “What’s the matter?”

From Los Angeles Times

“What’s the matter? Are you afraid I’ll stab you?” she asked Chapman.

From Los Angeles Times

"He was in the corner of the lounge with his hands on his head, crouching in the corner and just sobbing. He was repeating 'I don't know what's the matter with me'."

From BBC

“This man walked up to me, he was in a suit, and said, ‘What’s the matter?’”

From Los Angeles Times

“That’s why we keep this stuff confidential, and why it makes perfect sense to do it even though everything in you screams, ‘I want to know what’s the matter with him.’”

From Los Angeles Times