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Phrase(s): What’s the matter (with you)?
1. Lit. Is there something wrong with you?; Are you ill? • Bill: What’s the matter with you? Fred: I have this funny feeling in my chest. Bill: Sounds serious. • Bob: I have to stay home again today. Bill: What’s the matter with you? Have you seen a doctor? • Mary: Oh, I’m so miserable! Sue: What’s the matter? Mary: I lost my contact lenses and my glasses. • John: Ouch! Alice: What’s the matter? John: I bit my tongue. 2. Inf. How very stupid of you! How can you be so stupid? (Usually said in anger.) • As Fred stumbled over the step and dumped the birthday cake on the floor, Jane screamed, "What’s the matter with you? The party is in fifteen minutes and now we have no cake!" • Mary: I think I just lost the Wilson account. Sue: What! What’s the matter with you? That account pays your salary!
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs
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what's the matter? or Can you tell me what's the matter with my car? This idiom uses matter in the sense of "the essence of something," in this case a problem. It was first recorded in 1469. Also see WHAT'S WITH. What is the difficulty or problem? What troubles or ails you? For example, You look upset?
American Heritage Idioms