Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
what-possessed-you
phrase
/wɒt pəˈzɛst jʊ/
Definition
An expression used to question someone’s motivation or reasoning behind an action or decision that seems illogical or unexpected.
Examples
- What possessed you to jump into the freezing water?
- She wondered what possessed him to quit his secure job without another lined up.
Meaning
This phrase is used when someone is perplexed by another person’s behavior, often implying that the behavior is unusual or irrational.
Synonyms
- what were you thinking
- what made you
- what led you to
