What are you getting at meaning in English

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Definition

What are you getting at?: What are you getting implying, insinuating, trying to say? idiom

Examples

  • "Harold : What are you getting at, Wang?"
Exercise 1
"What do you want?"

From the list below, select the expressions which could replace this question in this context, and which are more polite.

There may be more than one correct answer!

"What do you want?"

From the list below, select the expressions which could replace this question in this context, and which are more polite.

There may be more than one correct answer!
The question "how can I direct your call" is a polite and efficient way to discover the reason why a caller is on the line. You are essentially asking whom they would like to speak with. You will then learn the purpose of the call.
This idiom is not appropriate here. To "get at something" is to "suggest" it, "hint", or "imply it". Example: "Are you sure you want to eat that chocolate? -What are you getting at? Do you think I'm fat?".
This is a good way to ask someone the purpose of their call. It is polite and friendly: much better than Wendy's rude question! "How can I help?" (or "how can I help you") is frequently heard in shops and in the customer support context.
This construction does not make sense here. We would ask "who's next?" if we had a queue of customers to serve, and were not sure who was the next person in line. It does not make sense when talking to one person on the telephone.

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