What are you driving at Meaning in English

expression

US

WUHT-ar-yoo-DRAHY-ving-at

UK

WOT-uh-YOO-DRY-ving-at

Definition

This expression is used to ask someone what point they are trying to make, especially when their meaning is not clear or they are hinting at something.

Usage & Nuances

Informal and conversational; often used when someone is being indirect, subtle, or not making their point clear. Don't use in formal writing. Similar expressions: 'What do you mean?', 'What's your point?'. Can sound challenging or impatient depending on tone.

• Spanish: ¿a qué te refieres? - ¿qué quieres decir?
• Portuguese (BR): o que você quer dizer? - onde você quer chegar?
• Portuguese (PT): o que queres dizer? - onde queres chegar?
• Chinese (Simplified): 你想表达什么意思？ - 你想说明什么？
• Chinese (Traditional): 你想表達什麼意思？ - 你想說明什麼？
• Hindi: तुम कहना क्या चाह रहे हो?
• Arabic: إلى ماذا تلمح؟ - ماذا تقصد؟
• Bengali: তুমি কী বোঝাতে চাও - তুমি আসলে কী বলতে চাও
• Russian: к чему ты ведёшь - что ты хочешь сказать
• Japanese: 何が言いたいの - 何を伝えたいの
• Vietnamese: ý bạn là gì - bạn đang muốn nói gì
• Korean: 무슨 말을 하려는 거야 - 무슨 뜻이야
• Turkish: ne demek istiyorsun - neye getirmek istiyorsun
• Urdu: آپ کیا کہنا چاہ رہے ہیں - آپ کس بات کی طرف اشارہ کر رہے ہیں
• Indonesian: maksudmu apa - kamu mau bilang apa

Example Sentences

What are you driving at? I don't understand your question.

basic

Can you tell me what you are driving at?

basic

I'm not sure what you are driving at. Could you explain?

basic

Wait, what are you driving at? Are you saying it's my fault?

natural

You keep talking around the problem, but what are you driving at?

natural

Sorry, it's not clear to me what you are driving at. Can you be more direct?

natural