# who wants to know

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/who-wants-to-know
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

A retort to a question posed by a stranger, when one does not want to either confirm or deny.

## Examples

- A stranger asked for my address, so I asked, who wants to know?
- When the man at the door asked if I was the owner, I replied, who wants to know?
- Suspicious of the caller's true intentions, she guarded her privacy and curtly asked, who wants to know?

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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.