| Idiom | Meaning | Example |
| what was I thinking of |
why did I do that? I wish I had not done that
|
I got my head shaved! What was I thinking of!
|
| what you don't know won't hurt you |
if you do not know about a problem, you do not worry
|
Don't tell Dad I'm gay. What he doesn't know won't hurt him.
|
| whatever floats your boat |
(See float your boat)
|
|
| what's cooking |
what is happening, what's going down
|
What's cooking with the kids? They're too quiet.
|
| what's eating you |
what is bothering you? are you upset?
|
What's eating you, Darryl? You look kind of mad.
|
| what's going down |
what is happening, what is going to happen, down the pike
|
The students want to know what's going down - where the teacher went.
|
| what's going on |
what is happening, down the pike, what's going down
|
I want to know what's going on. Who wrote this note?
|
| what's good for the goose is good for the gander |
rules that apply to the wife also apply to the husband, tit for tat
|
If you need a holiday, so do I! What's good for the goose is good for the gander.
|
| what's-his-face |
what is his name, I cannot remember his name
|
Nobody can park here, not even old what's-his-face - the judge.
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| what's in it for me |
what will I receive? how will I benefit?
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Before I give you the information, what's in it for me. Do I get paid?
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