why

that's why

a tag on the end of a statement that is an answer to a question beginning with why. (Shows a little impatience.) Sue: Why do you always put your right shoe on first? Bob: Because, when I get ready to put on my shoes, I always pick up the right one first, that's why! Mary: Why do you eat that awful peppermint candy? Tom: Because I like it, that's why!

Why buy a cow when you can get milk for free? and Why buy a cow when milk is so cheap?

Prov. Why pay for something that you can get for free otherwise. (Sometimes used to describe someone who will not marry because sex without any commitment is so easy to obtain. Jocular and crude.) I don't have a car because someone always gives me a ride to work. Why buy a cow when you can get milk for free? Mary told her daughter, "You may think that boy will marry you because you're willing to sleep with him, but why should he buy a cow if he can get milk for free?"

See also: buy, can, cow, get, milk

why don't you?

a question tag that is put onto the end of a command. Andy: Move aside, why don't you? Bob: Okay. Sorry. I didn't know I was in the way. "Just keep bugging me, why don't you?" threatened Wally. Andy: Try it again, why don't you? Sue: I hope I get it right this time.

Why keep a dog and bark yourself?

Prov. You should not do something you have hired someone else to do. Ellen: The cleaning lady washes my floors every Tuesday, but I always wash them over again. Jane: Don't be silly, Ellen. Why keep a dog and bark yourself?

See also: and, bark, dog, keep

Why not? 

1. Lit. Please explain your negative answer. Mother: No, you can't. Mary: Why not? Sue: Could I have another piece of cake? Mary: No. Sue: Why not? Mary: I want it.

2. . Inf. I cannot think of a reason not to, so yes. Bob: You want to go to see a movie next Friday? Jane: Why not? Fred: Do you feel like wandering over to the bowling alley? Tom: Why not?

whys and wherefores of something

the reasons or causes relating to something. I refuse to discuss the whys and wherefores of my decision. It's final. Bob doesn't know the whys and wherefores of his contract. He just knows that it means he will get a lot of money when he finishes the work.

See also: and, wherefore

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[What/Why/Who etc.] the (blue) blazes  (old-fashioned, informal)

if you start a question with what/who/why etc. the blazes, you show that you are very surprised or angry about the thing you are asking about What the blazes are they doing up on the roof?

See also: blaze

the whys and (the) wherefores

the reasons for something I know very little about the whys and the wherefores of the situation.

See also: and, wherefore

Why break the habit of a lifetime?  (British & Australian humorous)

something that you say which means that you do not believe that someone will stop doing something bad that they have done all their lives 'I must stop writing my essays the night before the deadline.' 'Why break the habit of a lifetime?'

See make or break

See also: break, habit

Why keep a dog and bark yourself?  (British & Australian)

something that you say which means there is no purpose in doing something yourself when there is someone else who will do it for you Just leave the glasses on the table - the bar staff will collect them. After all, why keep a dog and bark yourself?

See also: and, bark, dog, keep

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the whys and wherefores (of something)

the reasons for something The movie doesn't spend much time worrying about the whys and wherefores of its stars' behavior.

See also: and, wherefore

why not (spoken)

there is no reason not to “Do you want Italian food tonight?” “Sure, why not!” If you're so unhappy there, why not leave right now?