Meaning

"What gives?" means "What's going on?" or "Why is this happening?" You ask it when something is strange or different from normal and you want an explanation. Your quiet friend is suddenly singing, the office is empty on a Monday, the price has doubled overnight. The idea is "What is happening here that I don't know about?"

It is casual and a little old-fashioned, but still common in American English. With friends and relaxed coworkers it sounds curious and friendly. Aimed at someone's behavior, with a hard voice, it can sound like a complaint: "You didn't call me back. What gives?" If you want a softer version, try "Is everything okay?" or "What's going on?"

In a conversation

CharlotteKenji
  1. Charlotte
  2. Kenji
  3. Charlotte
  4. Kenji
  5. Charlotte

Say it out loud

Tap a sentence to hear it. Say it after the voice.

Check yourself

1Charlotte asks "What gives?" What does she want to know?
2How can "What gives?" sound when you ask it about someone's behavior?

Practice · 3 min

Listen, then say each line with a curious rise on "gives". Keep it short and quick.

Say it today

Use it once in a real conversation before tomorrow. Out loud counts, even to yourself.