whatever

Whether or not it's significant or useful. Said of a statement that one acknowledges may not be considered helpful by the listener. For whatever it's worth, I think you should confront your boss if you're unhappy with how he's treating you.

A flippant way of indicating something else similar to what was mentioned. Yeah, I'm sure there will be security or whatever there, but it should still be easy enough to sneak in some booze. There are cool clubs and bars or whatever in the main cities, but if you want to see the really interesting stuff, you need to get out into the countryside.

One has the ultimate authority among a particular group; you must do what one says. I don't care what your supervisor said. I'm the boss here, so what I say goes. I'm leaving Jane in charge, so what she says goes, OK?

proverb Whatever is meant or predestined to happen will happen; there is no use in regretting or resisting what one cannot control. I'm really hoping that I get this job, but what must be, must be.

Let whatever was meant or fated to happen come to pass; there is no use in regretting or resisting what one cannot control. I'm really hoping that I get this job, but whatever will be, will be. I'm afraid there's no more the doctors can do for your wife. At this point, what will be, will be.

One has the ultimate authority among a particular group; you must do what one says. I don't care whatever your supervisor said. I'm the boss here, so whatever I say goes. I'm leaving Jane in charge, so whatever she says goes, OK?

Whatever makes one happy; whatever interests or excites (one). Most often heard as "whatever floats your boat." A: "What do you want for dinner?" B: "Whatever floats your boat, I'm not even hungry." Katelyn does whatever floats her boat without worrying about what other people think of her.

A phrase used to ask about someone or something that one has not seen or spoken to recently. Whatever happened to Bill Collins? Do you remember him? He was such a nice guy. A: "Whatever happened to fanny packs?" B: "Oh, you'll start seeing them again—they're back in style apparently." Hey Mom, whatever happened to my Moon Shoes? I hope you didn't throw them out!

A phrase suggesting one's acceptance that an outcome in the future is uncertain or out of one's control. Well, my application is in the mail, so there's nothing more I can do now. Whatever happens, happens! A: "Don't you think we should stop? What if this experiment goes wrong?" B: "We've come too far to turn back now. Whatever happens, happens."

Anything necessary to complete a task or goal, usually with a sense of reckless abandon. I will do whatever it takes to get this promotion—even making sure that co-workers' blunders get back to the boss. Their team is more skilled than ours, so we'll have to do whatever it takes to win this game.

No matter what is actually true or appropriate about a particular situation or occurrence. I don't know why he took the money—maybe there are personal issues we don't know about, or maybe he's just greedy. Whatever the case, he shouldn't have lied about it after we caught him. Well, one source claims that the company will be making an announcement next month, while another source claims it will be as early as next week. Whatever the case, we should be getting new information very soon. Are you trying to get ripped? Maybe just lose a few pounds? Whatever the case, a membership with Adonis Gyms is the best way to get your health goals on track.

No matter what is actually true or appropriate about a particular situation or occurrence. I don't know why he took the money—maybe there are personal issues we don't know about, or maybe he's just greedy. Whatever the case is, he shouldn't have lied about it after we caught him. Well, one source claims that the company will be making an announcement next month, while another source claims it will be as early as next week. Whatever the case is, we should be getting new information very soon. Are you trying to get ripped? Maybe just lose a few pounds? Whatever the case is, a membership with Adonis Gyms is the best way to get your health goals on track.

No matter what is actually true or appropriate about a particular situation or occurrence. I don't know why he took the money—maybe there are personal issues we don't know about, or maybe he's just greedy. Whatever the case may be, he shouldn't have lied about it after we caught him. Well, one source claims that the company will be making an announcement next month, while another source claims it will be as early as next week. Whatever the case may be, we should be getting new information very soon. Are you trying to get ripped? Maybe just lose a few pounds? Whatever the case may be, a membership with Adonis Gyms is the best way to get your health goals on track.

Whatever excites, interests, or is pleasurable to one (is acceptable). The phrase alludes to sexual arousal, and so is often intended to be somewhat humorous when used in a more general way. It is sometimes used as a sarcastic comment implying that one's interest is unusual. A: "Do you mind if we listen to some jazz?" B: "Sure, whatever turns you on." A: "I know it's weird, but I really love to lick the butter wrapper." B: "Whatever turns you on, Haley!"

From any point of view; whichever way it is analyzed. Her resume is so impressive that, whatever way you slice it, she is the best candidate for the job. The proof is rock solid. Whatever way you slice it, he's definitely guilty.

Do anything else except for the thing specified. Used to warn someone not to do something lest they incur negative consequences. Well, whatever you do, don't tell Mom about your plan or she'll freak out! Just don't let the boss find out, whatever you do.

I accept what you say, and I'm not going to argue with you. Usually implies that one doesn't really agree with the other person, but is going to do it to avoid a conflict. A: "Don't worry about the auditors, just run the numbers like I told you." B: "OK, whatever you say, boss." A: "I told you, my parents let me borrow the car whenever I want." B: "Whatever you say."

Prov. If something is fated to happen, you cannot stop it from happening.; You cannot foretell the future. Harry hoped for many months that he would regain the use of his legs after the accident, but it soon became apparent that he would not. "What must be, must be," he thought resignedly. I'd like to win the contest, but I can't be sure that I will. What will be, will be. The doctors have done all they can. Whatever will be, will be.

Whatnot, or any other thing that might be mentioned, as in They've stocked wine, beer, soda, or whatever, or You can stay or leave, or whatever. [Early 1900s]

In any case; anything goes; as you wish. One of the most recent additions to clichédom, this adverb is used very loosely. David Rosenfelt has it in a character’s conversation with a waitress: “‘. . . I can remember a time when the bananas and walnuts would have been inside the pancakes.’ ‘Whatever,’ she says, demonstrating a disregard for cultural history. ‘You want coffee?’ ‘Not until after the Olympics,’ I say. ‘Whatever.’” (Bury the Lead, 2004). Uttering “whatever” can be irksome, and even incendiary, as well as nonchalant. A New Yorker piece by Nick Paumgarten (July 11 and 18, 2005) reports that actor Russell Crowe, who assaulted a hotel clerk for failing to help him place a telephone call to Australia, did so after the clerk, responding to a threat, replied “Whatever.” The 1995 film Clueless, about Beverly Hills teenagers of the 1990s, popularized the “whatever” gesture, made with holding up the thumb and forefinger of both hands to form the letter W. Perhaps the most chilling use of the word came at the court martial of Private First Class Lynndie R. England, who told the judge that when pressed to join in the abuse of Iraqi prisoners at Abu Ghraib, she responded “OK. Whatever” (quoted by James Carroll, Boston Globe, May 10, 2005). See also the quotation under twenty-four/seven.