History Main / DangerousInterrogative

--->'''Meredith:''' One more trick from you two, and I promise I'll make your lives miserable from the day I say "I do." Got it? ''(turns to walk off)''\\

** This happens again when Meredith is finally at her wits' end thanks to the twins and has it out with her fiancee over them:

%% Image removed per Image Pickin' thread: https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=1639243864070442400
%% Please start a new thread if you'd like to discuss a new image.

[[folder:Fanfic]]

* In ''WesternAnimation/TheGreatMouseDetective'', while [[BigBad Prof. Ratigan]]'s thugs are singing [[VillainSong "The World's Greatest Criminal Mind"]], one particularly drunk thug, Bartholomew, makes the fatal mistake of calling him [[BerserkButton a rat]]. When he hears that, Ratigan, who was drinking some champagne, [[SpitTake spits it out in shock]] and turns sharply to Bartholomew.
-->'''Ratigan:''' What was ''THAT?!'' What did you call me?!\\
'''Thug 1:''' ''(pleadingly)'' Oh, he didn't mean it, Professor!\\
'''Thug 2:''' It was just of the slip of the tongue!\\
'''Ratigan:''' ''(grabbing Bartholomew and yelling in his face)'' I AM ''NOT A RAT!!!''\\
'''Thug 3:''' 'Course you're not.\\
'''Thug 1:''' You're a mouse.\\
'''Thug 4:''' Yeah, a-a ''big'' mouse.\\
'''Ratigan:''' [[SilenceYouFool SILENCE!]]

* ''WesternAnimation/{{The Lion King|1994}}'': After Scar becomes king, he gives an angry "what did you say?" to anyone who says [[AlwaysSomeoneBetter his brother]]'s name.
** When addressing Zazu, who is forced to entertain him...
--->'''Zazu:''' ''(grudgingly)'' Oh, I never had to do this with Mufasa.\\
'''Scar:''' What?! What did you say?\\
'''Zazu:''' Oh, nothing!\\
'''Scar:''' You know the law: never mention that name in my presence! ''I AM THE KING!''\\
'''Zazu:''' Yes, Sire, you are the king! I-I... Well, I only mentioned it to demonstrate the differences in your own managerial approaches.
** And when addressing the hyenas...
--->'''Banzai:''' ''(under his breath)'' And I thought things were bad under Mufasa.\\
'''Scar:''' ''What did you say?!''\\
'''Banzai:''' I said Muf--''(Shenzi nudges him)'' I-I said, uh, "Que pasa?".\\
'''Scar:''' ...Good, now get out.

* ''WesternAnimation/{{Hercules}}'': When Meg tells Hades about her encounter with Hercules, he responds angry questions because his minions were supposed to (and, as he's now knowing, had failed to) kill him 18 years ago.
-->'''Hades:''' ''What'' was that ''name'' again?\\
'''Meg:''' Hercules. He comes on with this "big, innocent farm boy" routine, but I could see through that in a Peloponnesian minute.

* ''WesternAnimation/AliceInWonderland'': In the trial against Alice, as the Queen of Hearts is about to carry out her sentence (by beheading, naturally), Alice reaches into her apron pockets and discovers the mushroom pieces from earlier, which she eats, allowing her to grow to giant size. Everyone is terrified at her size now, but as Alice proceeds to [[BullyingADragon bad-mouth the Queen]], she suddenly starts shrinking down to normal size as the effects of the mushrooms wear off, and [[OhCrap her voice trails off as she realizes she's in big trouble now]].
-->'''Alice:''' ''(to the Queen)'' And as for you, ''(curtsies) Your Majesty... (her expression turns sour)'' Your Majesty indeed! Why, you're not a queen, ''(suddenly starts shrinking)'' you're just a fat, pompous, bad-tempered old ty... ''(she is back to her normal size and she finishes weakly)'' [[OhCrap ...tyrant...]]\\
'''Queen:''' ''(chuckles; softly but dangerously)'' And, uh, what were you saying, my dear?\\
'''[[CatsAreMean Cheshire Cat]]:''' ''(sitting on the Queen's head)'' [[BrutalHonesty Why, she simply said you're a fat, pompous, bad-tempered old tyrant!]] ''(cackles)''\\
''[[OhCrap (Alice becomes alarmed at what the Cat said)]]''\\
'''Queen:''' OFF WITH HER HEAD!!!

'''Hallie:''' Got it, [[MaliciousMisnaming Cruella.]]\\

%% Zero context. What was Peter Quill's reaction?* In ''Film/GuardiansOfTheGalaxyVol2'', this is Peter Quill's reaction to hearing his all-powerful father admit he [[spoiler: implemented a brain tumor in his wife and Quill's mother]].
* ''Film/{{Mirrormask}}'': A nervous servant approaches the Dark Queen at dinner to tell her Helena has escaped with the Mirrormask (and technically the second time it's happened). When the Queen growls "What?!", her voice goes VERY demonic, a prelude to her OneWingedAngel form.

-->''[After the Warden tells Mr. Pendanski to refill everyone's canteens]''\\

* ''Literature/WitchesAbroad:'' During their nastiest argument, Magrat insults Granny Weatherwax, who then politely but firmly asks her to repeat herself. The narration notes that asking someone to repeat something both parties know full well the offended heard the first time around is "Defcon 3" in argument terms.

* ''VideoGame/SaintsRowTheThird'' solidly establishes the HairTriggerTemper of [[MaskedLuchador Killbane]], the [[DragonAscendant successive leader of the Syndicate]], as soon as [[DarkActionGirl Kiki DeWynter]] makes the mistake of [[DoNotCallMePaul addressing him by his real name]]. Luckily, Kiki's more cautious sister Viola is on hand to correct her and prevent Killbane from lashing out. [[spoiler:When Kiki insults Killbane again much later in the game, [[NeckSnap he doesn't bother to correct her a second time]].]]
-->'''Kiki:''' Calm down, Eddie.\\
'''Killbane:''' ''What... did you call me?''

* ''WesternAnimation/SouthPark'': A running gag prior to Ms. Crabtree's death is someone insulting Ms. Crabtree. She yells out her catchphrase, "WHAT DID YOU SAY?!", only to [[MoodSwinger calm down immediately]] after they [[LameRhymeDodge say they said something that rhymed]].

* ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitans'': In "Troq", Robin does this when Cyborg tells him that Val-Yor had been calling Starfire "Troq" because it's [[FantasticRacism an anti-Tamaranian slur]].
-->'''Robin:''' ''What?''\\
'''Cyborg:''' ''(whispering)'' And that's what he's been calling her this whole time.\\
'''Robin:''' Starfire, why didn't you say something? ''(slams his fist into his palm)'' He ''will'' apologize! I'm gonna make him!
* ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'': Celestia, [[BewareTheNiceOnes of all ponies,]] gives a very menacing "What?" in "A Royal Problem" when Starlight switches Cutie marks (and thus powers) between Celestia and Luna to stop the sisters from fighting, then says she can't reverse the spell for 24 hours...even if she wanted to.

'''Eclipsa:''' You know, I think I prefer "mother."\\

* In one episode of ''WesternAnimation/{{Recess}}'', Gus clumsily lets out the gang's code-name for Miss Finster to her face, earning himself a detention:
-->'''Gus:''' Don't look at us, Crocodilicus.\\
'''Finster:''' ''(menacing)'' ''What'' did you just call me, Griswald?!\\
''(Gus gulps terrified, realizing what he just said)''
* PlayedForLaughs in the ''WesternAnimation/SpongebobSquarepants'' episode "Imitation Krabs" where Plankton disguises in a Mr Krabs cyborg and, after a lengthy and exhausting amount of rigmarole, demands the Krabby Patty formula from Spongebob:
-->'''Spongebob:''' No can do, Mr Krabs.\\
'''Krabs-bot:''' ''*in MachineMonotone*'' '''''WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT!!!!'''''

* ''WesternAnimation/SouthPark'': A running gag prior to Ms. Crabtree's death is someone insulting Ms. Crabtree. She yells out her {{Catchphrase}}, "WHAT DID YOU SAY?!", only to [[MoodSwinger calm down immediately]] after they [[LameRhymeDodge say they said something that rhymed]].

When someone responds in a dangerous, angry tone (usually "Whaaaat?"), it is typically in response to a loaded question, or anything loaded at all. It indicates that the person who said this indicates that the person they are addressing is [[BerserkButton about to enter]] [[OhCrap a world of hurt]]. Variations include "What was that?" or "What did you call me?". It may or may not be said in a tone of TranquilFury and accompanied by a DeathGlare.

[[folder:Anime and Manga]]
* ''Anime/MyHime'': Natsuki is prone to these, starting in episode 1, when Yamada tells her that Mikoto may have been picked up by a ferry. She does it again in episode 4 after being forced to [[GoingCommando go commando]] and Reito mentions Takeda's interest in her.

[[folder:Fanfic]]
* ''Fanfic/TheMountainAndTheWolf'': After the Wolf learns the Iron Fleet won't be attacking King's Landing after all, his bloodthirsty grin stays but becomes far less amenable, and he gives a "What." before demanding an explanation. When the unfortunate messenger confirms it, the Wolf shakes him angrily and tromps off, venting his rage by flattening a soldier's helmet. [[spoiler:It's all an act, as the Iron Fleet now obeys his orders and he needed them to keep Daenerys' armies in King's Landing without threatening them.]]
[[/folder]]

* ''WesternAnimation/{{The Lion King|1994}}'': After Scar becomes king, he says this to Zazu, and then to the hyenas, when they mention [[AlwaysSomeoneBetter his brother]]'s name.

* ''WesternAnimation/{{Hercules}}'': When Meg tells Hades about her encounter with Hercules, he responds with this because his minions were supposed to (and, as he's now knowing, had failed to) kill him 18 years ago.

* ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyTheMovie2017'': Furious and with her broken horn sparking, Tempest Shadow says this to Grubber after he manages to lose the last Princess (Twilight) they need for The Storm King's EvilPlan, making them have to go off and find her.

* In the 1998 remake of ''Film/{{The Parent Trap|1998}}'', [[GoldDigger Meredith]] threatens to make life hell for [[TheTrickster Hallie and Annie]] when she marries their father, Nicholas, as the twins try to make ''her'' life hell during the HorribleCampingTrip (for Meredith anyway) they're on in order to break them up.
-->'''Meredith:''' One more trick from you two, and I promise I'll make your lives miserable from the day I say "I do." Got it? ''(turns to walk off)''\\

* In ''Film/GuardiansOfTheGalaxyVol2'', this is Peter Quill's reaction to hearing his all-powerful father admit he [[spoiler: implemented a brain tumor in his wife and Quill's mother]].

* ''WesternAnimation/TheLionKing'': After Scar becomes king, he says this to Zazu, and then to the hyenas, when they mention [[AlwaysSomeoneBetter his brother]]'s name.

* In the 1998 remake of ''Film/TheParentTrap'', [[GoldDigger Meredith]] threatens to make life hell for [[TheTrickster Hallie and Annie]] when she marries their father, Nicholas, as the twins try to make ''her'' life hell during the HorribleCampingTrip (for Meredith anyway) they're on in order to break them up.

One response to this could be a LameRhymeDodge, which usually works -- usually. Or they might repeat the original question more slowly for emphasis, either [[PunctuatedForEmphais by punctuating their words]] or, if it's a single word, by spelling it out.

One response to this could be a LameRhymeDodge, which usually works -- usually.

* ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'': Celestia, [[BewareTheNiceOnes of all ponies,]] gives a very menacing "What?" In ''A Royal Problem'' when Starlight switches Cutie marks (and thus powers) between Celestia and Luna to stop the sisters from fighting, then says she can't reverse the spell for 24 hours...even if she wanted to.

[[/folder]]

* In one issue of ''WebAnimation/TeenGirlSquad'' (on ''WebAnimation/HomestarRunner''), the girls are celebrating "Valentime's Day", though So and So [[ItIsPronouncedTroPay pronounces "Valentine's" correctly]]. Throughout the toon, Cheerleader is hunting for "cards from boys" so she won't lose her "Mindy cred". She becomes desperate when she doesn't seem to be making a lot of headway:

%% Please see thread to discuss a new image.

[[quoteright:400:[[WebAnimation/TeenGirlSquad https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/dangerous_interrogative_3.jpg]]]]
[[caption-width-right:400:This does not end well for So and So... but not in a way you might be expecting.]]

'''[[CatsAreMean Cheshire Cat]]:''' ''(sitting on the Queen's head)'' [[BrutalHonesty Why, she simply said you're a fat, pompous, bad-tempered old tyrant!]] ''(cackles)''

'''Queen:''' ''(chuckles)'' And, uh, what were you saying, my dear?\\
'''Cheshire Cat:''' ''(sitting on the Queen's head)'' Why, she simply said you're a fat, pompous, bad-tempered old tyrant! ''(cackles)''\\

-->'''Ratigan:''' What was ''THAT?!'' What did you call me?!
-->'''Thug 1:''' ''(pleadingly)'' Oh, he didn't mean it, Professor!
-->'''Thug 2:''' It was just of the slip of the tongue!
-->'''Ratigan:''' ''(grabbing Bartholomew and yelling in his face)'' I AM ''NOT A RAT!!!''
-->'''Thug 3:''' 'Course you're not.
-->'''Thug 1:''' You're a mouse.
-->'''Thug 4:''' Yeah, a-a ''big'' mouse.
-->'''Ratigan:''' [[SilenceYouFool SILENCE!]]

-->'''Cruella:''' ''(writing a check)'' When can the puppies leave their mother? Two weeks? Three weeks?
-->'''Roger:''' Never!
-->'''Cruella:''' ''(gets up and into Roger's face)'' What...?
-->'''Roger:''' We-We-We're not... not s-s-selling... th-the puppies. N-Not a single, single one! You understand?
* ''WesternAnimation/TheLionKing'': After Scar becomes king, he says this to Zazu, and then to the hyenas, when they mention [[AlwaysSomeoneBetter his brother]]'s name. When addressing Zazu, who is forced to entertain him...
-->'''Zazu:''' ''(grudgingly)'' Oh, I never had to do this with Mufasa.
-->'''Scar:''' What?! What did you say?
-->'''Zazu:''' Oh, nothing!
-->'''Scar:''' You know the law: never mention that name in my presence! ''I AM THE KING!''
-->'''Zazu:''' Yes, Sire, you are the king! I-I... Well, I only mentioned it to demonstrate the differences in your own managerial approaches.

--->'''Banzai:''' ''(under his breath)'' And I thought things were bad under Mufasa.
--->'''Scar:''' ''What did you say?!''
--->'''Banzai:''' I said Muf--''(Shenzi nudges him)'' I-I said, uh, "Que pasa?".
--->'''Scar:''' ...Good, now get out.

-->'''Pacha:''' Build you summer house somewhere else.
-->'''Kuzco:''' ''(suddenly pauses)'' You wanna run that by me again?
-->'''Pacha:''' ''(with hesitation)'' I can't let you go back unless you change your mind and build your summer home somewhere else.
-->'''Kuzco:''' ''(beat)'' I have a little secret for you. Come here. No, closer. ''(Pacha leans in)'' ''[[SuddenlyShouting I DON'T MAKE DEALS WITH PEASANTS!!]]''

-->'''Hades:''' ''What'' was that ''name'' again?
-->'''Meg:''' Hercules. He comes on with this "big, innocent farm boy" routine, but I could see through that in a Peloponnesian minute.

-->'''Alice:''' ''(to the Queen)'' And as for you, ''(curtsies) Your Majesty... (her expression turns sour)'' Your Majesty indeed! Why, you're not a queen, ''(suddenly starts shrinking)'' you're just a fat, pompous, bad-tempered old ty... ''(she is back to her normal size and she finishes weakly)'' [[OhCrap ...tyrant...]]
-->'''Queen:''' ''(chuckles)'' And, uh, what were you saying, my dear?
-->'''Cheshire Cat:''' ''(sitting on the Queen's head)'' Why, she simply said you're a fat, pompous, bad-tempered old tyrant! ''(cackles)''
-->'''Queen:''' OFF WITH HER HEAD!!!

-->'''Meredith:''' One more trick from you two, and I promise I'll make your lives miserable from the day I say "I do." Got it? ''(turns to walk off)''
-->'''Hallie:''' Got it, [[MaliciousMisnaming Cruella.]]
-->'''Meredith:''' ''(turning sharply back to her)'' What did you call me?
-->'''Hallie:''' Nothing, nothing, not a thing... ''(under her breath)'' Cruella.

--->'''Nicholas:''' ''(seeing Meredith sopping wet and seething)'' What's going on?
--->'''Meredith:''' Here's what's going on, buddy: the day we get married is the day I ship those ''(points at his daughters) brats'' off to Switzerland! Get the picture? It's me or them. Take your pick.
--->'''Nicholas:''' ''(gesturing toward his daughters)'' Them.
--->'''Meredith:''' ''(eyes widening in anger)'' Excuse me?
--->'''Nicholas:''' T-H-E-M, them. ''(leans in close to her)'' [[IronicEcho Get the picture?]]

-->''[After the Warden tells Mr. Pendanski to refill everyone's canteens]''
-->"I just filled them a little while ago," said Mr. Pendanski.
-->The Warden stared hard at him. "Excuse me," she said. Her voice was soft.
-->"I had just filled them when Rex--"
-->"Excuse me," the Warden said again. "Did I ask you when you last filled them?"

-->'''Kiki:''' Calm down, Eddie.
-->'''Killbane:''' ''What... did you call me?''

-->'''Dingpot:''' Hmmm... doch da gibt es ein Mädchen... ("Hmmm... but there is a girl...")
-->'''Gruntilda:''' [[ThisCannotBe Das kann nicht sein]], niemand hier darf schöner sein! ("That cannot be, nobody here can be more beautiful!")
-->'''Dingpot:''' Tooty ist so süss und klein, sie ist die hübscheste von allen! ("Tooty is so cute and small, she is the prettiest of them all!")
-->'''Gruntilda''': WAS?! Du mieser alter Kessel, ich mache aus dir einen Sessel! ("WHAT?! You miserable old cauldron, I'll make an armchair out of you!")
-->'''Dingpot:''' Tooty ist nicht nur hübsch, sie ist ein wahrer Engel! ("Tooty is not only pretty, she is a real angel!")
-->''(Gruntilda prepares to depart with her broom)''
-->'''Gruntilda:''' Dem Biest werde ich es zeigen! ("I'll show that brat!")

-->'''Cheerleader:''' [[SeriousBusiness Valentimes is serious times!]]
-->'''So and So:''' ''(annoyed) -tines.''
-->'''Cheerleader:''' ''(angrily) Whaaaat?''
-->'''So and So:''' Valen[[SuddenlyShouting TINE'S! T-I-N]]--
-->''[[ItMakesJustAsMuchSenseInContext (A racecar driven by a fork drives up)]]''
-->'''Narrator Strong Bad:''' ''(imitating a car engine)'' Tines, tines, tines...
-->''(The racecar runs over So and So, killing her)''
-->'''Narrator Strong Bad:''' TINES!
-->'''Cheerleader:''' ...As I was saying, Vamlumtimes Day is serious times.

--->'''Jane''': [[FullNameUltimatum Dora Winifred Read]]...''what'' did you just say to me?
--->'''D.W.''': Um...can I have a soda?

-->'''Robin:''' ''What?''
-->'''Cyborg:''' ''(whispering)'' And that's what he's been calling her this whole time.
-->'''Robin:''' Starfire, why didn't you say something? ''(slams his fist into his palm)'' He ''will'' apologize! I'm gonna make him!

-->'''Meteora:''' Are you really my...my mama?
-->'''Eclipsa:''' You know, I think I prefer "mother."
-->'''Meteora:''' ''(as her eyes glow dangerously) What?''
-->'''Eclipsa:''' You know, "mama" is just fine.

--> '''Dal:''' And you're not a big fella. You're a...
--> '''Rok-Tahk:''' What!!
--> '''Dal:''' Not what I expected.

-->'''Gus:''' Don't look at us, Crocodilicus.
-->'''Finster:''' ''(menacing)'' ''What'' did you just call me, Griswald?!
-->''(Gus gulps terrified, realizing what he just said)''

-->'''Spongebob:''' No can do, Mr Krabs.
-->'''Krabs-bot:''' ''*in MachineMonotone*'' '''''WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT!!!!'''''

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-->'''Krabs-bot:''' ''*in MachineMonotone*'' '''''WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT!!!!'''''

[[caption-width-right:400:This does not end well for So and So.]]

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[[This does not end well for So and So]]

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