A dictionary of Confusable Phrases: More Than 10,000 Idioms and Collocations

what’s up • what’s up with
what’s up —
1
. what is happening; what is going on: You can
keep up to date on what’s happening with legislation, new
product research, or what’s up in your community. 2. (U.S.
sl., also: whassup) is used as a greeting to someone you know
well: “Hi, Jim. What’s up?” “Oh nothing much…. How are
you doing?”
what’s up with —what’s wrong with: Four out of ten days I
have had to weather tornado and flash flood warnings. What’s
up with the weather?
when it comes down to it • when the chips are
down
when it comes down to it—(also: when it comes right down to
it) when one really thinks about it: Doctors are great, but
when it comes right down to it, each of us is in charge of his
own health.
when the chips are down —when matters become very serious
or critical: When the chips are down a man shows what he
really is.
when the balloon goes up • when the eagle flies
when the balloon goes up —(coll.) when matters become very
serious or critical: The international rules of war are apt to be
waived when the balloon goes up.
when the eagle flies —(U.S. sl.) on payday: I’ll pay you back
when the eagle flies. Cf.: eagle has landed, the —(U.S. sl.) pay-
checks are in: The principal got on the PA [public address sys-
tem] and said, “Teachers, may I have your attention please:
The eagle has landed.”
when the band begins to play • when the fat lady
sings
when the band begins to play —(coll.) when matters become
very serious or critical: …they are supplied with the best of
weapons. Naturally only the best is good enough when the
band begins to play.
when the fat lady sings —(U.S. sl.) when smth. is finally con-
cluded; at the end of a match, performance, etc.: We can leave
with everybody else when the fat lady sings.