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Phrase(s): Why not? 1. Lit. Please explain your negative answer. • Mother: No, you can’t. Mary: Why not? • Sue: Could I have another piece of cake? Mary: No. Sue: Why not? Mary: I want it. 2. Inf. I cannot think of a reason not to, so yes. • Bob: You want to go to see a movie next Friday? Jane: Why not? • Fred: Do you feel like wandering over to the bowling alley? Tom: Why not?
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs