whet Idiom, Proverb

don't know whether you're coming or going

you are confused, you do not understand, go in circles If you believe the cult leaders, you won't know whether you're coming or going.

whet your appetite

improve your appetite, cause you to be hungry Would you like to order a salad to whet your appetite?

whet one's appetite

Idiom(s): whet one's appetite

Theme: INTEREST

to cause someone to be interested in something and to be eager to have, know, learn, etc., more about it.
• Seeing that film really whetted my sister's appetite for horror films. She now sees as many as possible.
• My appetite for theater was whetted when I was very young.

not know whether one is coming or going

Idiom(s): not know whether one is coming or going AND not know if one is coming or going

Theme: CONFUSION

to be very confused. (Fixed order.)
• I’m so busy that I don’t know if I'm coming or going.
• You look as if you don't know whether you're coming or going.

Don't know whether to wind a watch or bark at the

If you don't know what to do, you don't know whether to wind a watch or bark at the moon.

not to know whether one is coming or going|coming|

v. phr. To be completely confused. He was so perplexed he didn't know whether he was coming or going.
Compare: AT SEA².

whether

-- or|whether --- or whether 1. coord. conj. Used to introduce an indirect question. You must decide whether you should go or stay. I don't know whether Jack or Bill is a better player.
Compare: EITHER --- OR². Used to show a choice of things, or that different things are possible. Whether the bicycle was blue or red, it didn't matter to Frank.

whether or not

whether or not
Also, whether or no. Regardless of whether, no matter if. For example, Whether or not it rains, we're going to walk to the theater, or She plans to sing at the wedding, whether or no anyone asks her to. The negative element in these constructions may also follow the subject and verb, as in I have to attend, whether I want to or not. [c. 1600]