What's that?

What was that?

What did you say? Could you repeat yourself? Sometimes used to express disbelief or incredulity. What was that, Bill? You'll need to speak up. A: "Could you pass me that socket wrench?" B: "What's that? Sorry, I couldn't hear you over the sound of the machines." A: "Well, I'd probably be a bit more motivated if I earned a bit more money each month." B: "Wait, what was that? It sounded like you want a raise, after we already pay you more than anyone else on the team?"
See also: what

What's that?

1. I did not hear or understand what you just said, could you repeat that? What's that, Bill? You'll need to speak up. A: "You need to shut off the fans before we can access the maintenance tunnel!" B: "What's that? Those fans are drowning you out over the radio!"
2. Used rhetorically when someone mutters something petulant, derisive, or offensive. A: "Nice that some people here can afford a second sports car." B: "What's that, Jackson? Something you'd like to add?"
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

What's that?

What did you say? Tom: We're leaving tomorrow. Jane: What's that? What's that? Did you say "Iowa" or "Idaho"?
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • What was that?
  • Who would have thought it?
  • well, well, (well)
  • I say
  • Are you having a laugh?
  • get out!
  • exsqueeze me
  • stop the lights
  • the hell you say
  • The hell you say!
References in periodicals archive
Tower Of London WHAT'S THAT? In fact, children, it's actually Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress, a castle made up of several buildings on the Thames, which opened in 1078.
Hadrian's Wall WHAT'S THAT? A 73 mile, west-east defensive fortification from Bowness-on-Solway on the Solway Firth to Wallsend in Tyneside.
Big Pit: National Coal Museum WHAT'S THAT? A reminder of the South Wales coal mining industry, this is an award-winning multimedia museum in Blaenafon, Torfaen, near Newport.
Contact: iknow-uk.com Royal Observatory WHAT'S THAT? Sir Christopher Wren designed this building by way of highlighting the Prime Meridian - 0 degrees longitude.
Blue John Cavern WHAT'S THAT? One of four show caves in the finest series of caverns in the UK, near to Castleton in the Derbyshire Peak District.
Edinburgh Castle WHAT'S THAT? There's been a royal castle straddling the extinct volcano Castle Rock since the 12th century and it's long been one of Scotland's top attractions.
London Science Museum WHAT'S THAT? One of three major museums in Exhibition Road, South Kensington, along with the Natural History and Victoria & Albert, it covers all aspects of science and technology and is one of life's must-visits.
Windsor Castle WHAT'S THAT? The longest-occupied royal palace in Europe stands in a 13-acre site overlooking the Thames in Berkshire.
Blasts from the past
WHAT'S THAT? A family-run small property in the pretty village centre, three minutes from Lechnerberg lifts.
WHAT'S THAT? A 30-room chalet hotel with a cosy bar in the centre of town.
WHAT'S THAT? A quiet hotel between El Tarter and Soldeu - the best-known resort in the Andorran Pyrenees, sandwiched between France and Spain.
WHAT'S THAT? A central hotel in Bulgaria's sunniest town, 50 miles from the second city, Plovdiv.
WHAT'S THAT? Chalets in the highest part of town, right on the slopes - and there are plenty of those.
WHAT'S THAT? A stylish downtown hotel with great facilities that include an outdoor pool (heated).
WHAT'S THAT? Part of the Campo Smith complex at the foot of the piste in the Piedmont region of Italy, close to the French border.
Slope off on a ski trip; SKIING and snowboarding needn't put you on the slippery slope to financial ruin. STEVE RICHES picks out a few of the better bargain holidays..