ENGLISH
REFERENCE

what's the story

idiom
Meaning

A greeting; How are you?, What's up?


Origin

disputed origin

From What's the story with you?, possibly through Irish cad é an scéal (lit. "What's the story") (possible backtranslation).

Examples
SIMPLE

Hey, what's the story with your new car?

CONTEXTUAL

I saw you talking to the boss earlier, so what's the story?

COMPLEX

He walked into the office, looked at the empty desks, and asked his colleague what's the story.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    Banbury story of a cock and a bull

    A roundabout, nonsensical story.

  2. 02

    break the story

    To be the first to address or publicize an issue, often a news story.

  3. 03

    change one's story

    To give an account of events different from the one previously recounted.

  4. 04

    cock-and-bull story

    A far-fetched and fanciful story or tale of highly dubious validity.

  5. 05

    get what's coming to one

    To experience the consequences of one's actions.

  6. 06

    long story short

    Introducing a short version of, or simply the conclusion of, a relevant story.

  7. 07

    moral of the story

    The key lesson or message that an incident, situation or other happening conveys; a general takeaway point.

  8. 08

    same old story

    What usually happens; an occurrence that is tediously familiar.

Last updated July 12, 2026