«قَمْحْ وَالَّا شْعِيرْ؟»

A two-way question put to someone who has just arrived with news, asking them to say at once whether what they bring is welcome or unwelcome. The two grains simply stand for the two possible answers; what matters is which way things went.

The question also signals eagerness to hear the outcome before any details. The speaker wants the verdict first, favorable or not, so that the rest of the account can be taken in with that already known.

Put it to a person who has just come in carrying news, before they begin the full story, to get them to state straight away whether the outcome is good or bad. It suits casual exchanges among familiar people.