What are you, was he, etc. getting at?

phrase

To try to understand or find the real intention or meaning behind someone's actions or words.

You've been asking a lot of questions about the project, what are you getting at?
Visual representation of "what are you, was he, etc. getting at?" - To try to understand or find the real intention or meaning behind someone's actions or words.

Often appears as...

  • what are you getting at?
  • what is he getting at?

Usage tips

Colloquial

phrase

To suggest indirectly or hint.

His speech had a critical tone, but I couldn't understand what he was getting at.
Visual representation of "what are you, was he, etc. getting at?" - To suggest indirectly or hint.

Often appears as...

  • what is he getting at?
  • what are they getting at?

Usage tips

Idiomatic

phrase

To try to understand or find the real intention or meaning behind someone's actions or words.

You've been asking a lot of questions about the project, what are you getting at?
Visual representation of "what are you, was he, etc. getting at?" - To try to understand or find the real intention or meaning behind someone's actions or words.

Often appears as...

  • what are you getting at?
  • what is he getting at?

Usage tips

Colloquial

phrase

To suggest indirectly or hint.

His speech had a critical tone, but I couldn't understand what he was getting at.
Visual representation of "what are you, was he, etc. getting at?" - To suggest indirectly or hint.

Often appears as...

  • what is he getting at?
  • what are they getting at?

Usage tips

Idiomatic

Definition 1 of 2
Visual representation of "what are you, was he, etc. getting at?"
LampPro Tip 1/3

Conversation Probe

Used to gently dig deeper into someone's thoughts when the meaning isn't clear.

Illustration for Conversation Probe
You seem upset about the decision, what are you getting at?
LampPro Tip 2/3

Not Aggressive

It's a non-confrontational way to ask for clarity without sounding too aggressive.

Illustration for Not Aggressive
Your comments are intriguing; what are you getting at?
LampPro Tip 3/3

Clarify Assumptions

Use it to clarify if you think someone is implying something without stating it directly.

Illustration for Clarify Assumptions
Your hints seem to point somewhere; what are you getting at?
LampPro Tip 1/3

Conversation Probe

Used to gently dig deeper into someone's thoughts when the meaning isn't clear.

Illustration for Conversation Probe
You seem upset about the decision, what are you getting at?
LampPro Tip 2/3

Not Aggressive

It's a non-confrontational way to ask for clarity without sounding too aggressive.

Illustration for Not Aggressive
Your comments are intriguing; what are you getting at?
LampPro Tip 3/3

Clarify Assumptions

Use it to clarify if you think someone is implying something without stating it directly.

Illustration for Clarify Assumptions
Your hints seem to point somewhere; what are you getting at?
LampPro Tip 1/3

Conversation Probe

Used to gently dig deeper into someone's thoughts when the meaning isn't clear.

Illustration for Conversation Probe
You seem upset about the decision, what are you getting at?
LampPro Tip 2/3

Not Aggressive

It's a non-confrontational way to ask for clarity without sounding too aggressive.

Illustration for Not Aggressive
Your comments are intriguing; what are you getting at?
LampPro Tip 3/3

Clarify Assumptions

Use it to clarify if you think someone is implying something without stating it directly.

Illustration for Clarify Assumptions
Your hints seem to point somewhere; what are you getting at?
Visual representation of the word "What are you, was he, etc. getting at?"

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