What is the world coming to?
interjection
A phrase of exasperation used when things are going wrong or strange things are happening.
People are paying to be locked in a room and solve puzzles to get out again? What is the world coming to?
Often appears as...
- upside down world
- strange days
Usage tips
Informal
Colloquial,Idiomatic
interjection
A phrase of exasperation used when things are going wrong or strange things are happening.
People are paying to be locked in a room and solve puzzles to get out again? What is the world coming to?
Often appears as...
- upside down world
- strange days
Usage tips
Informal
Colloquial,Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 1
Pro Tip 1/3Emotional Tone
Used to express worry, disbelief, or disapproval over negative changes or surprising behaviors.
Drivers keep texting while driving. What is the world coming to?
Pro Tip 2/3Exaggeration
Often used hyperbolically to stress one's point rather than to pose a real question about the world's future.
He spent all that money on virtual clothes? What is the world coming to?
Pro Tip 3/3Rhetorical Question
No concrete answer is expected; it's used to express consternation or disbelief.
Politicians are ignoring the issue again. What is the world coming to?
Pro Tip 1/3Emotional Tone
Used to express worry, disbelief, or disapproval over negative changes or surprising behaviors.
Drivers keep texting while driving. What is the world coming to?
Pro Tip 2/3Exaggeration
Often used hyperbolically to stress one's point rather than to pose a real question about the world's future.
He spent all that money on virtual clothes? What is the world coming to?
Pro Tip 3/3Rhetorical Question
No concrete answer is expected; it's used to express consternation or disbelief.
Politicians are ignoring the issue again. What is the world coming to?
Pro Tip 1/3Emotional Tone
Used to express worry, disbelief, or disapproval over negative changes or surprising behaviors.
Drivers keep texting while driving. What is the world coming to?
Pro Tip 2/3Exaggeration
Often used hyperbolically to stress one's point rather than to pose a real question about the world's future.
He spent all that money on virtual clothes? What is the world coming to?
Pro Tip 3/3Rhetorical Question
No concrete answer is expected; it's used to express consternation or disbelief.
Politicians are ignoring the issue again. What is the world coming to?
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