What's the problem?

What's the problem?

1. What is the issue? What is it that's proving to be problematic or difficult? A: "Yes, hello, what's the problem?" B: "Sorry to disturb you at this hour, ma'am, but the reactor is reaching critical status."
2. Used rhetorically to imply that the issue brought up by the other person is not actually problematic. A: "You do know that this move will alienate some of our customer base, right?" B: "And? What's the problem? Any business we lose from old customers will be made up for tenfold in the expansion."
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

What's the problem?

 
1. Lit. What problem are you presenting to me? Bill (coming in): I need to talk to you about something. Tom: What's the problem, Bill? "What's the problem?" said Mary, peering at her secretary over her glasses.
2. Inf. a question asking what the problem is and implying that there should not be a problem. Child (crying): He hit me! Father: What's the problem? Child: He hit me! Father: Are you hurt? Child: No. Father: Then stop crying. Bob: Hi, Fred. Fred: What's the problem? Bob: There's no problem. Why do you ask? Fred: I've had nothing but problems today.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • wish away
  • kick up
  • a long row to hoe
  • a tough row to hoe
  • tough row to hoe
  • fan
  • in a cleft stick
References in periodicals archive
Every month What's the problem? Deterioration to What to look out for: Standing water on a roof, lifting or cracking of joins or vegetation growth.
Tile trouble - getting to the roof of the problem; Avoid sky high repair bills by keeping on top of those little jobs around the home PROPERTYEXPERT
What's the problem?" Benjamin then discovers he's actually got a major problem - a weird and incurable disease.
Mr. D. takes a pratfall: Arto Paragamian's two thousand and none
What's the problem? For a growing number of kids, it's attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)--the most commonly diagnosed behavioral problem in children in the U.S.
DIET & BEHAVIOR IN CHILDREN
The ones really low in fat or fat-free carry the admonition "not to be used for cooking"--so what's the problem?
To cook with or not to cook with - that is the question
So what's the problem? Queen City is controlled by J.
Solid as a rock
Flowers are a nature-based business, so what's the problem? First, although many of us are willing to accept a few spots on our apples to keep them chemical-free, florists and commercial growers say we're much more hesitant to accept imperfections in our cut flowers and potted plants.
Flower power: finding an environmentally conscious florist is worth the trouble
IF YOUR boyfriend's a year OUR boyfriend's a year older than you then what's the problem? Could it just be that you're attractive and both Readers problems answered online by younger and older boys like you?
Problem shared
So as he said, what's the problem? Peter Garside (same Mailbag) claims it's a "disaster waiting to happen".
Horace and Doris regularly a [...]
So, what's the problem? Keiren hasn't yet signed his new improved, extended contract offered to him by the club.
What's the problem with Westwood? Letters
What's the problem? Will his Network Q warranty cover it?
At your service
Andrea Bilbow, who speaks for ADHD sufferers, explains that such children just can't cope in a queue or when there is a delay in gratification: "Many schools serve them first at lunch and if it stops scenes, what's the problem?" There's a very real problem.
Patience is still a virtue
As regards the coastal road from Ainsdale to Southport - it's perfectly straight, no bad bends, reasonably wide, so what's the problem? It's got to be down to the drivers' speed and probably tailgating to some extent.
Letter: Drivers to blame
Then what's the problem? If we know what makes a program successful in terms of cost, schedule, performance, and supportability, why are so many programs in trouble as a result of cost overruns, longer schedules, and/or performance set-backs?
Acquisition logistics in a program management world
Daniel Farnell, 16, student, Rowlands Gill: If people want to do it, and are getting paid, then what's the problem?
Your say: Do you agree with the Jobcentre advertising for an adult chat web host/hostess?
So what's the problem? Everything seems to be on her terms, and she generally gets more out of the friendship than she puts in.
Stormy weather. (Friends)