what's with

Idioms

Also, what's up with; what gives with. What is going on with; tell me about or explain it. For example, What's with all the food they're giving away? or What's up with Lee these days? or What gives with Jack? Why is he so glum? This idiom is also sometimes used as a substitute for how are you or what's wrong, as in Hi, Pam, what's with you? or What gives with you—why are you yelling? [Colloquial; c. 1940]

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“So, what’s with the proper young gentleman look? That’s a new shirt, right?”

From Literature

“I mean, what’s with these homies dissin’ my Perle?

From Salon

And what's with the magnets anyway?

From BBC

“What’s with these spineless creeps?”

From Salon

"What's with these socks?" the president asked, as the room erupted in laughter.

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023