Meaning of now what | Babel Free

Definitions

1. A request, usually rhetorical, to know what, in a series of negative events, is the next negative event occurring.
2. A request for advice or instruction on what should be done, when a situation has turned negative, particularly if a contingency has failed.

Examples

“With his hand on the instrument, the bell shrilled loudly. “Now, what?” growled Sir Julius.”

“Moe pressed the retrieval button, but, nothing happened. “Now what,” grumbled Moe.”

“There was a tremendous splash. And then everything was quiet. Until Billy heard a rustling in the forest behind him. Great. Now what?”

“Somehow I didn't think it worked that way—not when they needed thirty-five thousand men a month. Now what? Revington was right; I'd run out of options”

““The cerclage didn't work,” I said. “So now what?” Bill said. “Now what!””

CEFR level