Saturday, May 7, 2016

phrase request - An idiom describing surprise over a lack in abundance of things


What idiom in English would describe the speaker's surprise over the fact that there was still some lack in an abundance of things?


In the quote below this expression must be substituted for the words "What on earth is his lack?!?!"



Did you hear the news? Jefferson was trying to commit suicide last night. What on earth is his lack?! He has everything: nice job, beautiful wife, kids, a house, a car.




Answer




In a context like this, I'd probably use "what more could he want?"



He always seems unhappy, but I don't know why. He has a great job, beautiful family, and lives in a nice neighborhood. What more could he want?



"What more could he ask for?" could also work.


I definitely wouldn't use this in the context of suicide, though, because it sounds somewhat insensitive. It suggests that material possessions and external emotions are the only things that should factor into someone contemplation of suicide.


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