what's eating

phrase

What is wrong with...? What is the problem with... (somebody)? Inquired regarding somebody who seems upset, worried, angry, etc.

“What's eating him? I've never seen him this worked up over anything before.”

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Meanings

phrasewhat's eating?
  1. idiomaticWhat is wrong with...? What is the problem with... (somebody)? Inquired regarding somebody who seems upset, worried, angry, etc.

    What's eating him? I've never seen him this worked up over anything before.

Synonyms & antonyms

Also see
what's up with
Cite this entry
APA

what's eating. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/what's%20eating

MLA

“what's eating.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/what's%20eating. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “what's eating,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/what's%20eating.

Source: what's eating on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.