When someone says what’s up, you might pause and wonder what the best reply is.
Many people search for the right way to respond to this common question. Whether you need to sound formal, friendly, funny, or professional, this guide has you covered.
Different situations need different kinds of responses.
A casual chat with friends, a message from your boss, or a polite talk with a stranger will all require you to answer what’s up in unique ways.
This article gives you the words you need for each setting.
Formal Ways to Say What’s Up
Here are over 30 formal ways you can respond when someone asks what’s up in a polite or respectful setting:
- Good day, how may I assist you
- I am doing well, thank you for asking
- Everything is in order, I appreciate your concern
- I am currently occupied with work matters
- I am handling my daily responsibilities as usual
- All is well on my end, I trust the same for you
- I am engaged in my scheduled tasks
- I am attending to important commitments at the moment
- Things are proceeding smoothly, thank you
- My focus is on the tasks at hand today
- I am managing my duties efficiently
- I am progressing through the day as planned
- My current activities are going as expected
- I am focused on meeting today’s objectives
- I am involved in several work-related activities
- I am concentrating on my scheduled projects
- I am fully engaged with my planned commitments
- I am dedicating time to professional priorities
- I am fulfilling my responsibilities as planned
- I am currently following through on my agenda
- My day is occupied with productive work
- I am focused on organizational matters
- My attention is directed towards essential tasks
- I am completing assigned duties at this time
- I am attending to scheduled professional meetings
- I am involved in detailed project planning
- I am coordinating with colleagues on pressing matters
- I am carefully addressing current assignments
- I am steadily working towards today’s goals
- My time is allocated to essential responsibilities
Informal Ways to Say What’s Up
Here are over 30 friendly and casual ways you can reply to what’s up in daily conversations:
- Not much, you
- Just hanging out
- Same old, same old
- Chilling, what about you
- All good here
- Just taking it easy
- Nothing special, you
- Just the usual
- Keeping it low-key
- Just relaxing
- Nothing much going on
- Pretty calm day
- Just scrolling my phone
- Just catching up on things
- Just got back home
- Taking a break
- Busy, but good
- Just watching some shows
- Just had lunch
- Hanging in there
- Just got done with work
- Running some errands
- Just vibing
- Enjoying the day
- Same routine
- Getting some fresh air
- Just working out
- Just wrapped up a project
- Playing some games
- Just chilling with friends
Idiomatic Ways to Say What’s Up
Here are over 30 idiomatic expressions you can use to reply to what’s up in a creative and natural way:
- Living the dream
- Same circus, different clowns
- Just rolling with the punches
- Another day, another dollar
- Keeping my head above water
- Running on autopilot
- Riding the wave
- Just going with the flow
- Burning the candle at both ends
- On the grind
- Walking the tightrope
- Just keeping it together
- In the thick of it
- Keeping the wheels turning
- Up to my ears in work
- Taking it one day at a time
- Just trying to keep my ducks in a row
- Getting back in the groove
- Flying under the radar
- Keeping my nose to the grindstone
- Juggling a few balls in the air
- Sticking to the daily grind
- Rolling with the tide
- Just cruising along
- Trying to stay ahead of the curve
- Staying on the ball
- Moving full steam ahead
- Just treading water
- Getting all my ducks lined up
- Keeping things on track
Professional Ways to Say What’s Up
Here are over 30 workplace-friendly ways you can respond to what’s up in emails, meetings, or work chats:
- I am currently working on a few key projects
- I am finalizing some reports
- I am addressing client requests today
- I am coordinating with the team on upcoming tasks
- I am preparing materials for the next meeting
- I am following up on recent assignments
- I am reviewing project timelines
- I am ensuring deadlines are met
- I am providing updates on our deliverables
- I am actively monitoring project progress
- I am completing important documentation
- I am updating internal records
- I am participating in team discussions
- I am working through some pending approvals
- I am collaborating with cross-functional teams
- I am focusing on time-sensitive tasks
- I am processing the current workflow
- I am analyzing data for upcoming reports
- I am responding to client feedback
- I am tracking key performance indicators
- I am engaging in quality checks
- I am aligning with stakeholders on objectives
- I am managing my task list for the day
- I am contributing to strategic planning sessions
- I am gathering resources for upcoming initiatives
- I am supporting project handovers
- I am assisting in process improvements
- I am troubleshooting minor project issues
- I am aligning schedules with other departments
- I am ensuring seamless project execution
Conclusion
Knowing how to respond to what’s up can help you in both social and professional settings. The right response makes you sound polite, confident, and natural. Whether you choose formal, casual, idiomatic, or workplace-friendly ways, practicing these phrases will make your conversations smoother and more enjoyable.
Emilly Dickson is a renowned Urdu author, researcher, and storyteller known for his insightful take on contemporary social issues. His writing style is simple yet thought-provoking, engaging readers while encouraging them to reflect on deeper themes.
Professionally, he is an academic with a PhD in Urdu Literature and has been involved in teaching for over a decade. His works have been published in various national and international literary journals. Dr. Alvi is also a mentor to aspiring writers and an active participant in literary forums and events.
Selected Works:
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The Screams of Silent Words
-
Travelers of Shadows
-
A Story Stuck on the Lip
