who wants to know: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘who wants to know’ mean?
The idiom "who wants to know" is used to show indifference or annoyance towards someone who is prying or asking for unnecessary information.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "you know what" is used as a phrase that often indicates that the speaker is trying to avoid saying something explicitly, assuming the listener already knows or will understand the unspoken message.
The idiom "who are you telling" is used to acknowledge someone's statement by expressing agreement or understanding of the information they have shared.
The idiom "what's new" is used as a casual way of asking for the latest or most recent information or updates about someone or something.
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.
The idiom "what, me worry" is a rhetorical question that expresses a nonchalant or unconcerned attitude towards a potentially worrisome situation. It is often used sarcastically to imply that one should not be worried or bothered by something.
The idiom "what's it to you" is a rhetorical question used to express irritation or defensiveness towards someone who is prying or meddling into one's business. It implies that the person has no right to be concerned or involved in the matter.
What's it to you?
The idiom "want to know," often used in question form, expresses a strong desire or curiosity to obtain information or gain knowledge about something.
The idiom "pray tell" is used to politely ask someone to provide information or share a secret or surprising fact.
The phrase "pray tell" is a combination of two words, "pray" and "tell", where "pray" means to make a request or ask earnestly, and "tell" means to communicate or reveal information. In this idiom, "pray" is used as an exclamatory expression, mainly to add emphasis to a question or request for information.
The idiom "not want to do that" is used to indicate a strong aversion or unwillingness towards a particular action or situation.
The idiom "none of someone's business" means that something is not their concern or responsibility and they have no right to inquire or interfere.
Unraveling the Mystery
The idiom "who wants to know" is a common phrase used in informal English conversation. It serves as a rhetorical question, implying disinterest or annoyance towards the curiosity or nosiness of others. This idiom is often used in a sarcastic or dismissive way to indicate that the speaker believes the information being asked about is either irrelevant or none of the listener's business.
One popular related idiom is "want to know," which conveys a sense of eagerness or curiosity about something. It is often used when someone is interested in learning more or obtaining information about a specific topic. For example, if someone asks, "What's the secret to your success?" and you respond with "Do you really want to know?" you are questioning their sincerity and indicating that the answer may be more complex or involved than they expect.
Another related idiom is "what's it to you," which is often used to express indifference or annoyance towards someone who is prying or being nosy. It suggests that the speaker does not see any reason why the person asking the question should be concerned or have any stake in the matter. For instance, if someone asks, "Why are you dressed so casually for the party?" and you respond with "What's it to you?" you are essentially telling them that their opinion or judgment is unwarranted and unwelcome.
A similar idiom is "never you mind," which is used to deflect or dismiss someone's inquiry or curiosity. It implies that the information being asked about is not the listener's concern and that they should not even bother attempting to find out. For example, if someone asks, "Why were you absent from work yesterday?" and you respond with "Never you mind," you are asserting that your absence is personal and none of their business.
The idiom "don't tell me" is also related to "who wants to know" in the sense that it expresses skepticism or disbelief towards someone's statement or assertion. It suggests that the speaker does not trust or accept the information being provided and challenges the person to reconsider or provide proof. For instance, if someone tells you, "I heard you won the lottery," and you respond with "Don't tell me," you are expressing doubt and seeking confirmation or further evidence before accepting the claim.
Overall, these idioms all revolve around the themes of curiosity, inquiry, interest, and information. They serve as ways to express defensiveness, detachment, indifference, skepticism, and even annoyance towards the questions or statements of others. Whether used in a sarcastic or dismissive manner, they enable speakers to assert their autonomy and question the relevance or necessity of others' inquiries.
To sum it up, the idiom "who wants to know" is an informal expression used in English conversation to convey disinterest or annoyance towards the curiosity or nosiness of others. It is often used sarcastically or dismissively to indicate that the information being asked about is irrelevant or none of the listener's business. Other related idioms such as "want to know," "what's it to you," "never you mind," and "don't tell me" further emphasize these themes of curiosity, inquiry, interest, and information. By using these idioms, speakers can assert their autonomy, deflect unwanted intrusions, express indifference or annoyance, and challenge the legitimacy of others' questions or statements.
Example usage
1. John: "I heard you have some exciting news! Who wants to know?" In this example, John is asking who wants to be informed about the exciting news. The phrase is used to express curiosity about the individuals interested in receiving the information.
2. Mary: "I found an amazing recipe online! Who wants to know?" In this case, Mary is offering to share the recipe she found with an unspecified group of people. The phrase is used to inquire who is interested in knowing the details.
3. Teacher: "The test scores will be posted on the bulletin board tomorrow. Who wants to know?" The teacher is asking the students who wants to be informed about their test scores. This implies that not everyone may be interested, and the phrase is used to determine who is eager to receive their results.
More "Interrogative" idioms
