Meaning of on earth | Babel Free

Definitions

1. Expletive used for emphasis after an interrogative word.
2. Alternative letter-case form of on earth.
   alt-of

Equivalents

Examples

“Really, if the lower orders don’t set⟳ us a good example, what on earth is the use⟳ of them? They seem, as a class, to have⟳ absolutely no sense⟳ of moral responsibility.”

“A. Fink-Nottle: But it's absolute balderdash, Bertie. I mean⟳, listen⟳ to this: "Sure and begorrah, I don't know⟳ what's after being the matter⟳ with you, Michael." I mean⟳, what on earth is this "what's after being" stuff mean⟳? B.W. Wooster: My dear old Gussie, that is how people think⟳ Irish people talk⟳.”

“How on earth are we supposed to hold⟳ our heads high as the 'mother of parliaments' when we allow⟳ to continue⟳ the practice of almost openly buying a seat in parliament?”

CEFR level