What's keeping Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈhwəts/, /ˈwəts/ /ˈkipɪŋ

WUHTS KEE-ping

UK

wɒts/ /kˈiːpɪŋ

WOTS KEE-ping

Definition

This informal expression asks what is causing someone or something to be late or delayed. It's used to question the reason behind a delay.

Usage & Nuances

Used in informal, spoken English, often as 'what's keeping you/them/us?' or part of 'I wonder what's keeping...'. Usually refers to people but can be used for things. Do not use in formal writing. Common in everyday conversation when someone is late or delayed.

• Spanish: ¿qué está deteniendo - ¿qué está retrasando
• Portuguese (BR): o que está atrasando - o que está impedindo
• Portuguese (PT): o que está a atrasar - o que está a impedir
• Chinese (Simplified): 是什么在耽搁 - 是什么让...迟到
• Chinese (Traditional): 是什麼在耽擱 - 是什麼讓...遲到
• Hindi: क्या रोक रहा है - क्या देर कर रहा है
• Arabic: ما الذي يؤخر - ما الذي يمنع
• Bengali: কী ধরে রাখছে - কী দেরি করছে
• Russian: что задерживает - что мешает
• Japanese: 何が遅らせている - 何が引き止めている
• Vietnamese: điều gì đang giữ - điều gì đang làm chậm
• Korean: 무엇이 지연시키고 있나 - 무엇이 막고 있나
• Turkish: ne engelliyor - ne geciktiriyor
• Urdu: کیا روک رہا ہے - کیا تاخیر کر رہا ہے
• Indonesian: apa yang menahan - apa yang membuat terlambat

Example Sentences

What's keeping you? We've been waiting for an hour.

basic

I wonder what's keeping the bus today.

basic

Do you know what's keeping Tom from joining the call?

basic

Hey, what's keeping you? The movie's about to start!

natural

Traffic must be bad. That's probably what's keeping her.

natural

If they're not here yet, what's keeping them?

natural