[Idiom] WHAT'S THE MATTER?

[EverLivingPoet]

For the question "What's the matter?", to suggest everything is ok, would "There is nothing the matter." be the right answer? I thought it would be "Nothing is the matter."

 

[5jj]

I think the most natural answer would be just 'Nothing'.

 

[emsr2d2]

I think the most natural answer would be just 'Nothing'.

Or if you're a petulant teenager, just a shrug and no words at all!

 

[sunsunmoon]

Everything is okay.
Is this one of the appropriate answers to the question "what's the matter"?

 

[emsr2d2]

Everything is okay.
Is this one of the appropriate answers to the question "what's the matter"?

I wouldn't say that as the answer to that direct question. The fact that someone has asked "What's the matter?" suggests that there is a reason they are asking. However, you could use your reply if it followed the actual answer:

- What's the matter?
- Nothing. Everything's OK.

- What's wrong?
- Nothing. Everything's fine.

- Are you OK?
- Yes thanks.

- Is everything OK?
- Yes, everything's fine.