[General] You got a domestic situation

[thedaffodils]

Tom: Hey, you can level with me. You got a domestic situation?
Homer: You might say that. My wife's gonna leave me 'cause she thinks I'm a pig.

Q1: I am wondering whether 'a domestic situation' refers to the marriage trouble solely or not. Does it include financial problem, problems of kids?

If the Simpsons' finance is in red ink or their kids are missing, Can I say Homer got a domestic situation?

Q2: And should the verb be used in past tense? Is it wrong to say 'you get a domestic situation'?

Q3: Can I replace 'got' with 'had' in the phrase? That is 'you had a domestic situation'.

Thanks!

[Anglika]

Originally Posted by thedaffodils

Q1: I am wondering whether 'a domestic situation' refers to the marriage trouble solely or not. Does it include financial problem, problems of kids?

If the Simpsons' finance is in red ink or their kids are missing, Can I say Homer got a domestic situation?

Q2: And should the verb be used in past tense? Is it wrong to say 'you get a domestic situation'?

Q3: Can I replace 'got' with 'had' in the phrase? That is 'you had a domestic situation'.

Thanks!

A domestic situation could be as small as the sink being blocked or as big as a marriage in trouble. Context tells you what it is. Since dialogue in "The Simpsons" is replicating very colloquial English, Tom drops "have" when he says "You got a domestic situation?".

So yes, it is wrong to say "You get a domestic situation."

[thedaffodils]

Anglika, thank you for your help. I read you loud and clear.