What with the children being at home and my parents coming to stay, I have too much to do.
•The Smiths find it difficult to manage financially, what with Mr. Smith losing his job and Mrs. Smith being too ill to work.
Dictionary of American idioms. 2013.
what with something — what with sth idiom used to list the various reasons for sth • What with the cold weather and my bad leg, I haven t been out for weeks. Main entry: ↑whatidiom … Useful english dictionary
what with one thing and another — phrase used for referring to many different events in a way that is not specific You use this expression in order to explain why something did or did not happen What with one thing and another, I didn’t get home until after midnight. Thesaurus:… … Useful english dictionary
what's (up) with something? — what’s (up) with something? spoken phrase used for asking someone for an explanation about something What’s with this bill? I don’t owe you any money. Thesaurus: ways of asking questions and making requestshyponym to ask a question or… … Useful english dictionary
what does someone want with something? — phrase used for saying that you cannot understand why someone wants the thing mentioned What do you want with that old tyre? Thesaurus: ways of saying that you do not know or understandsynonym Main entry: want … Useful english dictionary
what with — preposition Etymology: what (II) : on account of what with summertime it was still broad daylight when, around half past eight, I entered the big living room Valentine Williams * * * what with Because of, considering • • • Main Entry: ↑ … Useful english dictionary
what with one thing and another — used for referring to many different events in a way that is not specific. You use this expression in order to explain why something did or did not happen What with one thing and another, I didn t get home until after midnight … English dictionary
what is something like? — what is someone/something like? phrase used for asking about the qualities or features of a person or thing I haven’t met Alan – what’s he like? What was it like meeting Jill’s parents for the first time? She took Andrew with her to show him… … Useful english dictionary
what's with something? — what s with sth? idiom (NAmE, informal) used to ask the reason for sth • What s with all this walking? Can t we take a cab? Main entry: ↑whatidiom … Useful english dictionary
live with something — live with (something) to accept something that is not exactly what you wanted. I m not earning much money, but I guess we re just going to have to live with it. This agreement isn t perfect but it s something I can live with … New idioms dictionary
tell someone what to do with something — tv. to tell someone to do something rude with something. (With the unspoken notion that one should stick it up one’s ass.) □ I’ll tell you what you can do with it. □ If that’s the way he wants to be, you can just tell him what to do with it … Dictionary of American slang and colloquial expressions
in touch with something — in touch (with (something)) having recent knowledge about something. I try to keep in touch with the latest developments in the music scene. A president must stay in touch to know what citizens want or need. Opposite of: out of touch (with… … New idioms dictionary
