what's with

Idioms  

1. 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]

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

what's with

And what’s with Douglas MacArthur’s walk-on just before the final curtain?

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 17, 2026

And what’s with the uniformed guard out front?

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 14, 2022

And what’s with that creepy metaverse Zuckerberg is trying to lure us into?

From New York Times ● Oct. 30, 2021

And what’s with that lens flare just off center?

From Washington Post ● Feb. 5, 2020

“It’s okay, but what’s with all them loop-de-loops in his drawings?”

From "The Stars Beneath Our Feet" by David Barclay Moore