939 - What’s Up With? - English Tips in a Minute | Happy English

939 - What’s Up With? - English Tips in a Minute | Happy English

Author: Michael DiGiacomo Happy English November 29, 2025 Duration: 2:17
Hey there! It’s Michael here - and welcome back to English Tips in a Minute from Happy English. I’m here every Saturday with a short, simple tip to help you speak English more naturally and confidently. And by the way, if you want to watch this lesson, just look for Happy English Podcast on YouTube.
Today, let’s look at a really useful conversational phrase - “What’s up with…?”

We use what’s up with…? to ask about something we don’t understand. It’s another way to say
“What’s the situation with…?”  And you can use it for people, for events, or even for weird situations.

  • Like,  Maybe your coworker is acting strange. You can say:  “What’s up with John today?”
  • Or if you’re confused about a rule at work, you might say:  “What’s up with casual Fridays? Can we wear jeans or not?”
  • We also use it to talk about trends or new behaviors we don’t get.  Like:  “I don’t know what’s up with kids these days and that 6-7 thing.”
One thing to keep in mind is tone. With a neutral tone, it sounds curious.  With a strong tone, it can sound annoyed or frustrated:  “Oh man, what’s up with all this traffic today?”

What’s up with waiting? Go try this phrase in your next conversation! 

Lemme know in the comments how it goes, and remember to follow or subscribe so you don’t miss the next Happy English Podcast and next Saturday’s English Tips in a Minute. Hey, thanks for listening. And until next time, keep learning and keep it cool.

Watch video versions of the Happy English Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HappyEnglishNY/podcasts
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Ever feel like you're missing a piece of the puzzle when you hear native English speakers chat? That's where Happy English Podcast comes in, hosted by Michael DiGiacomo. This isn't about dry textbook rules; it's about the living, breathing language you actually encounter. Each episode feels like a friendly conversation, breaking down the nuances that can trip you up. You'll find yourself understanding the subtle differences between confusing words, getting a handle on those tricky phrasal verbs that seem to change meaning constantly, and even picking up the rhythm and pronunciation of everyday American English. The focus is always on practical use, whether it's mastering common idioms that add color to your speech or clarifying grammar points in a way that sticks. Designed for learners at any stage, the podcast turns complicated topics into manageable, even enjoyable, lessons. The goal is to build your confidence so you can express yourself more naturally and understand more of the world around you. Tune in and discover how approachable learning a language can be, one clear and helpful episode at a time.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

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