student asking question

Is "what's in this for someone" an idiom? What does it mean?

teacher

Native speaker’s answer

Rebecca

Yes! It is an idiom! "What's in this for someone" means "what do I get in return for helping you?" If someone asks this question, she wants to know what are the advantages or benefits that she will receive if she were to help out. Erica is asking them what she will get in return for helping. She does not want to help them out if she doesn't receive something in return. A: Hey Gracie, I need you to help me with my homework. B: What's in it for me? A: I'll pay you fifty dollars. B: Okay! I'll help you. Ex: I wouldn't ask him for any favors. He is only concerned about what's in it for him.

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