what was someone smoking: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘what was someone smoking’ mean?
The idiom "what was someone smoking" is used to express disbelief or confusion about someone's unusual or irrational behavior or statement.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "you think" is used to express sarcasm or disbelief towards someone's statement or opinion. It implies that the person's idea or belief is incorrect or foolish.
The idiom "why on Earth" is used to express surprise or confusion about something. It emphasizes the speaker's disbelief or curiosity at a particular situation or action.
The idiom "what was someone thinking" is used to express confusion or disbelief about someone's actions or decisions.
The idiom "what's the matter" is used to ask someone what is wrong or bothering them.
The idiom "what someone said" refers to the exact words or statements expressed by a person. It emphasizes the importance of accurately conveying someone's speech or quoting them directly.
The idiom "what's going on" is used to inquire about the current situation or events, seeking information or understanding. It's a casual expression commonly used in conversations to ask about what is happening or to express confusion.
The idiom "what's eating you" is used to ask someone why they are upset or bothered by something, implying that there is an underlying issue or problem causing their distress.
The idiom "what's eating" means to be bothered or upset by something. It is used to inquire about the cause of someone's distress or annoyance.
The idiom "what for" is used to ask someone about the reason or purpose behind their actions. It implies a sense of curiosity or confusion and is often used when questioning someone's behavior or intentions.
Mysterious Origins
The idiom "what was someone smoking" is a commonly used rhetorical question in colloquial English. It is often used to express incredulity or disbelief about someone's behavior, decision, or statement. When using this idiom, one is essentially questioning the sanity and reasoning of the person in question.
This idiom is typically used in a humorous or sarcastic manner, to highlight the irrationality or absurdity of someone's actions or thoughts. By invoking the image of smoking, the idiom suggests that the person in question must have been under the influence of something mind-altering to have made such an outrageous or illogical choice. It implies that the person's decision or statement is so out of touch with reality that it can only be explained by the assumption that they must have been under the influence of drugs or a similarly mind-altering substance.
One related idiom is "what was someone thinking." This phrase is used to express confusion or incredulity about someone's thought process or decision-making. It is similar to "what was someone smoking" in that both idioms question the rationality of someone's actions or thoughts. However, "what was someone thinking" focuses more on the thought process itself, rather than assuming the influence of a mind-altering substance.
Another related idiom is "holy smoke." This phrase is an exclamation of surprise or astonishment. It is similar to "what was someone smoking" in that both idioms convey a sense of incredulity, but "holy smoke" is a more general expression of astonishment, whereas "what was someone smoking" specifically questions the irrationality of someone's actions or thoughts.
The idiom "say that" is another related expression. This phrase is used to express agreement or to acknowledge a statement as accurate or noteworthy. It is similar to "what was someone smoking" in that both idioms involve a rhetorical question, but "say that" is used to affirm a statement, while "what was someone smoking" is used to express disbelief or incredulity.
The idiom "smoking gun" is another related expression. This phrase is used to refer to clear evidence or proof of someone's guilt or wrongdoing. It is similar to "what was someone smoking" in that both idioms involve the use of the word "smoking," but "smoking gun" specifically refers to evidence, while "what was someone smoking" questions the rationality of someone's actions or thoughts.
Lastly, the idiom "say what" is another related expression. This phrase is used to express surprise or disbelief at what someone has just said. It is similar to "what was someone smoking" in that both idioms involve a rhetorical question and convey a sense of incredulity or disbelief. However, "say what" is more focused on the specific statement that has been made, while "what was someone smoking" questions the rationality of the person's overall behavior or decision.
While the exact origins of these idioms are unknown, they are all commonly used in colloquial English. They serve to express disbelief, incredulity, confusion, or surprise, each in their own unique way. The idioms "what was someone thinking," "holy smoke," "say that," "smoking gun," and "say what" all provide colorful and humorous ways to convey these emotions and engage in conversation with others. They highlight the rich and ever-evolving nature of idiomatic expressions in the English language.
Example usage
Example 1: The teacher found a student's answer so ridiculous that she exclaimed, "What was he smoking when he wrote this?"
Example 2: When I saw my friend wearing mismatched socks, I couldn't help but ask, "What were you smoking this morning?"
Example 3: After watching a terrible movie, I turned to my sister and said, "Seriously, what were the writers smoking when they came up with this plot?"
More "drugs" idioms
