What's the damage?: Learn what the means through example!

What does “What's the damage?” mean?

"What's the damage?" means asking about the cost or price of something.

What context can I use the in?

Example

I'm afraid to ask, but what's the damage for this meal?

Example

After the repairs, the mechanic told me the damage was $500.

Example

I need to check my bank account before I can tell you the damage

Is “What's the damage?” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?

“What's the damage?” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.

How would I use “What's the damage?” effectively in context?

You can use "What's the damage?" to ask about the cost or price of something in a casual and colloquial way. It's often used when you want to inquire about the financial implications of a particular situation or purchase. For example, if you're at a restaurant with friends and want to know how much the bill is, you could say, 'Hey, what's "the damage" for this meal?'

• 1. Dining out

  After enjoying a delicious meal at a fancy restaurant, she asked the waiter, 'Excuse me, but what's the damage?'

• 2. Car repairs

  After getting her car fixed, she nervously asked the mechanic, 'The damage is $500, right?'

• 3. Financial planning

  Before making any big purchases, he always checks his bank account and asks himself, 'What's the damage?'

Similar phrases to “What's the damage?”:

How much does it cost?

To inquire about the price or cost of something

Example

She asked the salesperson, 'Excuse me, but how much does it cost?'

What's the price tag?

To ask about the cost or price of something

Example

He looked at the item and wondered, 'What's the price tag?'

How much do I owe you?

To inquire about the amount of money owed for a product or service

Example

After receiving the bill, she asked the waiter, 'How much do I owe you?'

Good things to know:

Where does the phrase “What's the damage?” come from?

The origin of the phrase "What's the damage?" is unknown.

Is “What's the damage?” common in everyday conversation?

"What's the damage?" is a common expression in everyday conversation, especially in informal settings. People often use it to inquire about the cost or price of something without sounding too formal or serious.

What tone does “What's the damage?” have?

"What's the damage?" conveys a tone of casualness and informality. It's often used in a lighthearted manner to ask about the financial implications of a situation or purchase.

Can “What's the damage?” be used in informal and formal settings?

"What's the damage?" is an informal expression that is commonly used in casual conversations among friends, family, and acquaintances. It may not be suitable for more formal or professional settings.

Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?

"What's the damage?" is typically used as part of a sentence to ask about the cost or price of something. However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying '"What's the damage?"' to imply asking about the cost of something.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

• how much is it?
• what's the cost?
• what's the price?
• how expensive is it?
• what's the bill?

Antonyms

• on the house
• complimentary
• gift
• it's free
• no charge