The phrase "what you see is what you get" is commonly spelled as /wɒt juː siː ɪz wɒt juː ɡɛt/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The 'w' in 'what' is pronounced as a voiced labio-velar approximant /w/, while the 'o' and 'a' sounds are pronounced as a short o vowel /ɒ/. The 'y' in 'you' is pronounced as a consonant /j/ followed by a long u vowel /uː/. The 's' and 'c' sounds in 'is' and 'get' are pronounced as /s/. This phrase is commonly used to emphasize that appearances are not deceiving.
What you see is what you get (WYSIWYG) is a colloquial phrase commonly used to describe a situation or concept where there are no hidden or undisclosed elements, and the exterior appearance or presentation accurately represents the underlying reality. It implies that what is visible or obvious at first glance is exactly what one can expect, without any hidden surprises or deceptions.
In a literal sense, WYSIWYG is often encountered in computer software interfaces or website design tools, indicating a feature that displays content or layouts exactly as they will appear in the final output or display. This means that what is shown on screen during the design process will be an accurate representation of the final print, web page, or document.
From a broader perspective, the idiom "what you see is what you get" applies to situations involving straightforwardness, authenticity, and transparency. When used to describe a person, it typically refers to individuals who do not pretend or put on false personas, instead showing their true selves to the world. This phrase is sometimes utilized when describing merchandise, indicating that the item being purchased matches its description and does not deviate in quality or appearance.
Overall, the phrase encapsulates the idea that the visible or apparent aspects of something accurately portray its inherent nature, with emphasis on honesty, simplicity, and a lack of deception.