what's cooking
A greeting, similar to how are you?; what's happening?; what's up?; what's new?
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“Hey, what's cooking? I haven't seen you in ages.”
“He walked into the kitchen, saw his friends chatting, and asked, 'So, what's cooking?'”
“The old man leaned against the fence, tipped his hat, and called out, 'What's cooking, neighbor?' — a greeting unchanged since their youth.”
- 01
cooking with gas
Functioning particularly effectively; achieving something substantial.
- 02
get what's coming to one
To experience the consequences of one's actions.
- 03
now you're cooking
Used to praise someone for adopting a more effective or suitable method or approach, or to signal that progress is being made.
- 04
what's eating
What is wrong with...? What is the problem with... (somebody)? Inquired regarding somebody who seems upset, worried, angry, etc.
- 05
what's eating you
What is annoying or bothering you?
- 06
what's going on
An informal greeting.
- 07
what's in it for me
What are the advantages of (something) to me, personally?
- 08
what's new
The latest developments in a particular situation or a person's life.
Last updated August 10, 2026