humorous, humorous, formal

something that you say when someone asks you about something which you think is strange, funny, or annoying.

'Why is Timothy sitting in the kitchen with a saucepan balanced on top of his head?' 'You may well ask!'

'What happened to the money you gave Sharon to buy food?' 'Well may you ask! She says she lost it.'

• be as sober as a judge
• be as solid as a rock
• be as sound as a bell
• be as sound as a dollar
• be as stiff as a board
• be as stiff as a ramrod
• be as straight as a die
• be as straight as a ramrod
• be as strong as an ox
• be as stubborn as a mule
• be a star in the making
• be as thick as thieves
• be as thick as two short planks
• be as thin as all get out
• be as thin as a rake
• be as thin as a stick
• beast of burden
• be as tough as old boots
• be as ugly as sin
• be a sure thing
• be as white as a sheet
• be as white as snow
• beat about the bush
• beat a dead horse
• beat a hasty retreat