# on earth

idiom · CEFR A2

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/on-earth
Updated: 2026-04-22

## Meaning

Used to make a question stronger, especially when you are surprised, confused, or angry.

## Examples

- What on earth are you doing?
- I am so confused, why on earth would he leave the party without saying goodbye?
- She stared at the strange, glowing object in the garden and wondered how on earth it had arrived there overnight.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.