0
Jeff_Mosawy Posted 15 years ago
Vocabulary
What in the world!
Hi all.
As I know 'what in the world' is an idiom. Am I right?
So, can you guys tell me what does it mean? First off give me some examples, please and then tell me when should I use it in my speaking?
In the meantime, does 'what on earth' have the same meaning of 'what in the world '?
Thank you.
Jeff.
As I know 'what in the world' is an idiom. Am I right?
So, can you guys tell me what does it mean? First off give me some examples, please and then tell me when should I use it in my speaking?
In the meantime, does 'what on earth' have the same meaning of 'what in the world '?
Thank you.
Jeff.
Top answer
I'm quite sure that what on Earth and what in the world are synonyms, you can use both of them and the meaning will be the same. I think you use those idioms to intensify. you're telling your child to prepare a meal and he/she does it all wrong and in order to underline how astonished/disappointed/surprised you are you will say: What on Earth/in the woeld have you done!!!!
- I'm quite sure that what on Earth and what in the world are synonyms, you can use both of them and the meaning will be the same.
- I think you use those idioms to intensify.
- you're telling your child to prepare a meal and he/she does it all wrong and in order to underline how astonished/disappointed/surprised you are you will say: What on Earth/in the woeld have you done!!!!
- instead of just What have you done.
- It's stronger, that's all ^_^
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
3 Answers
0
I'm quite sure that what on Earth and what in the world are synonyms, you can use both of them and the meaning will be the same.
I think you use those idioms to intensify. For instance....you're telling your child to prepare a meal and he/she does it all wrong and in order to underline how astonished/disappointed/surprised you are you will say: What on Earth/in the woeld have you done!!!!
I think you use those idioms to intensify. For instance....you're telling your child to prepare a meal and he/she does it all wrong and in order to underline how astonished/disappointed/surprised you are you will say: What on Earth/in the woeld have you done!!!!
00
woRld*0
Question words (what, who, where, how, etc.) can be intensified by
in the world, on earth, the heck, and several other vulgar expressions as well.
(You can add in tarnation as well. tarnation is a very old-fashioned word. It's a corruption of damnation.*)
They all communicate the same basic idea, namely, that the speaker is experienci
in the world, on earth, the heck, and several other vulgar expressions as well.
(You can add in tarnation as well. tarnation is a very old-fashioned word. It's a corruption of damnation.*)
They all communicate the same basic idea, namely, that the speaker is experienci
0
Related Questions