ENGLISH
REFERENCE

what's the good of

idiom
Meaning

What is the purpose or advantage of


Examples
SIMPLE

What's the good of worrying about things you can't change?

CONTEXTUAL

He looked at the broken bike and asked, 'What's the good of fixing it if it breaks again every month?'

COMPLEX

Surveying the ruins of his father's orchard, now barren from drought, he muttered bitterly, 'What's the good of planting trees that will not live to bear fruit?'

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    a good deal

    Very much; to a great extent; a lot; lots.

  2. 02

    all good

    It's all good.

  3. 03

    bill of goods

    A set of misleading or deceptive claims.

  4. 04

    but good

    To a high degree; very thoroughly; in a most definite manner.

  5. 05

    come from a good place

    To be motivated by decency, kindness, or good intentions.

  6. 06

    come up with the goods

    To produce what was expected or required.

  7. 07

    deal a good hand

    To assign favorable circumstances in life to someone.

  8. 08

    deliver the goods

    To do what was promised or expected.

Last updated July 12, 2026