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scam

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What's the scam?

 and What's the deal?

Sl. What is going on around here? (Often implies that something seems to be wrong.) There's a big rumpus down the hall. What's the scam? I gave you a twenty, and you give me five back? What's the deal? Where's my other five?

scam

(skæm)

1. n. a swindle; a hustle. I lost a fortune in that railroad scam.

2. tv. to swindle someone; to deceive someone. They were scammed by a sweet-talking southern lady who took all their money.

3. in. to seek out and pick up young women, said of males. (Collegiate.) Bob was out scamming last night and ran into Clare.

4. in. to copulate. All you ever want to do is scam.

5. in. to fool around and waste time. Quit scamming and get busy.

What’s the scam?

and What’s the deal?

interrog. What is going on around here?; Explain what is happening or what you are doing. What’s the scam? What’s happening, dude? I gave you a twenty, and you give me five back? What’s the deal? Where’s my other five?