What to Say When Someone Says “Or What?” (10 Things!)
If someone says “or what?” they are indicating that they are willing to do something that they would not normally do or want to do.
This is often said in a threatening or challenging way, as if to say, “I’m warning you, don’t push me.”
In some cases, it can also be used as a genuine question, simply asking if there is anything else that needs to be done.
If you find yourself in a situation where someone says “or what,” it’s important to choose your words carefully.
Responding with aggression or trying to match their threat level will only escalate the situation. Instead, try to diffuse the tension by remaining calm and relaxed.
If the person is genuinely asking a question, then simply answer it.
And if they are making a threat, calmly explain what actions you will take if they follow through with it.
By remaining calm and collected, you can diffuse any potential conflict.
Here’s what to say when someone says “or what” or “else what?”
What does it mean when someone says “so what”?
The phrase “so what” is often used to express a dismissive attitude.
When someone says “so what,” they are indicating that they do not care about the person or thing in question.
In some cases, “so what” can also be used to express indifference or apathy.
For example, if you ask someone for their opinion on a topic and they reply with “so what,” they are likely indicating that they do not have a strong opinion either way.
In other cases, “so what” may be used as a retort, indicating that the speaker does not believe that the other person’s opinion is valid.
In some rare cases, “So what?” can be used as a genuine question in an attempt to better understand the issue at hand. However, the most popular use is as a way to dismiss an argument outright.
Ultimately, “so what” is a versatile phrase that can be used in a number of different ways.
As such, it is important to consider the context in which this response is made before drawing conclusions about its meaning.
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What to Say When Someone Says “Or What?”
The next time someone asks you, “or what?” be prepared with a witty response. This phrase is often used to challenge someone’s opinion, and it can be a frustrating thing to hear.
However, there are a few ways to handle this situation.
Here’s what to say when someone says “or what”:
- Or what? (in a questioning tone.)
- Or what, I’ll give you a piece of my mind?
- Try me.
- You don’t want to know.
- Please, don’t push this too far.
- Try me and you’ll see.
- Oh, you don’t want to find out.
- I’ll tell your mom.
- I guess you’ll have to find out.
- You know, that’s a good question.
The best response is to explain to them the consequences if they choose not to take the course of action that you suggested.
The next time someone says, “or what?” you can be prepared with a witty response. Whichever response you choose, be sure to deliver it with a confident voice and a smirk on your face.
With a little practice, you’ll be a pro at handling this common rhetorical question.
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How to Respond to “Or Else What?”
The next time someone says “or else what,” here’s how you can respond.
First, take a deep breath and try to stay calm. It’s important to remember that this person is probably trying to push your buttons and get a reaction out of you.
Second, don’t take the bait.
Instead, calmly say something like, “I’m not going to do what you want me to do just because you’re threatening me. I’ll do what I think is best.”
This will throw the other person off balance and hopefully diffuses the situation.
If you’re unsure what they want, it’s best to ask for clarification. Once you know what they’re after, you can decide how to respond.
Sometimes, it may be best to make an empty threat, such as saying, “Or I’ll walk away.”
This shows that you’re not afraid of their ultimatum and that you will not be bullied into doing anything.
In other cases, it may be best to stand your ground and calmly repeat your original position.
Finally, be prepared to follow through on your threats if the other person doesn’t back down.
Whatever you do, don’t let the person intimidate or bully you into doing something you don’t want to do.
If you’ve made it clear that you’re not going to be pushed around, they’ll eventually realize that they need to back down or face the consequences.
Read next: 27+ Savage Comebacks when Someone Insults You
Final Thoughts
As you can see, there are plenty of things to say when someone says “or what”.
So, when someone tries to threaten you, don’t be afraid to give them a response to their question.
You may not feel confident in your comebacks at first, but with practice, you’ll be able to shut down anyone who dares to insult you.
And that’s something to be proud of.
Theresa Bedford is a lifestyle and relationship writer with a passion for self-development and to live life to the fullest. She writes about relationships, mindfulness, and simple living. Her work has been seen on the AP newswire, MSN, Wealth of Geeks, Media Decision, and more.