McGRAW-HILL’SConversational

AmericanEnglish

TheIllustratedGuidetotheEverydayExpressionsofAmericanEnglish

McGRAW-HILL’SConversationalAmericanEnglish

TheIllustratedGuidetotheEverydayExpressionsofAmericanEnglish

RICHARDA.SPEARS•BETTYBIRNER•STEVENKLEINEDLER

IllustratedbyLucNisset

Copyright©2011byTheMcGraw-HillCompanies,Inc.Allrightsreserved.PrintedintheUnitedStatesofAmerica.ExceptaspermittedundertheUnitedStatesCopyrightActof1976,nopartofthispublicationmaybereproducedordistributedinanyformorbyanymeans,orstoredinadatabaseorretrievalsystem,withoutthepriorwrittenpermissionofthepublisher.

ISBN:978-0-07174132-3

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Contents

AboutThisDictionary

UsingThisDictionary

TopicandSituationIndex

ConversationalAmericanEnglishExpressions

AboutThisDictionary

Everylanguagehasconventionalandmuch-usedwaysofexpressingeventhemostcommonplacerequests,inquiries,orresponses.Someoftheseexpressionsareidiomsoridiomatic.OthersareperfectlyunderstandableandliteralEnglish,butpeopleunfamiliarwiththelanguagemayhavedifficultyformulatingthemintypicalandconventionalways.DerivedfromNTC’sDictionaryofEverydayAmericanEnglishExpressions,thisbookisacollectionofnearly5,000suchexpressionsgroupedinto464topicsthatarelistedunder11majorcategoriesofsocialinteraction.Newtothisreferenceareextensiveillustrationsthatplacenumerousexpressionsinavisualcontext,facilitatingunderstandingandmemorization.

ThecompletelistofmajorcategoryheadingsandtheirtopicscanbefoundintheTopicandSituationIndex,beginningonpagexi.Thisindexcanalsobeusedforbrowsingthroughthetopics.Seeacompleteexplanationofhowtousethisindexonpagexi.Eachofthe464topicshasbeenassignedanumber,andthesenumbersarethebasisoftheindexingsystems.Thenumbersappearatthebeginningofeachtopicheadinginthebodyofthebooktoaidinfindingaparticulartopic.

UsingThisDictionary

Themeaningoftheexpressionscanbedeterminedfromthetopicheading.Alltheexpressionsunderaparticularheadingconveyessentiallythesametypeofinformation.

•Theexpressionsthemselvescontainhintsandexplanationswherenecessary.Forinstance,intheexpression...

Igotsidetracked.sidetracked=detoured;distracted

...theequalsign(=)indicatesthatthewordorphraseontheleftisdefinedasthewordorphraseontheright.

•Intheexpression...Canyoustayfordinner?

Canyou=Wouldyou,Areyouableto,Willyou

...the=indicatesthatthewordorphraseontheleftcanbereplacedbyanyofthewordsorphrasesontheright.

•Intheexpression...Getoffyourhighhorse.(informal)=Belessarrogant.

...theequalsign(=)atthebeginningofthelineindicatesthatarestatementoftheentireexpressionfollows.

•Intheexpression...Youandwhatarmy?(slang)...thewordslanginparenthesesindicatestheregisterorusageoftheexpression.OthersimilarindicatorsareBiblical,cliché,euphemistic,folksy,formal,French,German,idiomatic,informal,ironic,Italian,Japanese,jocular,juvenile,Latin,mildoath,mildlyvulgar,oath,rude,sarcastic,Spanish,taboo,andvulgar.

•Intheexpression...Fore!

(saidingolfingwhentheballisstruck)

...theinformationinparenthesesexplainssomethingaboutthecontextinwhichtheexpressionisused.

TopicandSituationIndex

Thisindexincludes11majorcategoryheadings,underwhichthetopicsforeachcategoryappearinboldfacetype.Thespecificexpressiongroupsforeachtopicarethenpresentedintheorderinwhichtheyarefoundinthelistofexpressions.Atopicnumber,ratherthanapagenumber,isprovidedaftereachtopicdescription,indicatingwheretofindthattopicinthelist.

Forinstance,ifyouwantedtofindanexpressionhavingtodowithapaininthehead,youwouldlookunderthecategoryPersonalMattersforagroupofexpressionslabeledSickness.UnderSicknessyouwouldfindtheexpressiongroup“Describingapaininthehead326.”Lookfor“Describingapaininthehead”atnumber326inthelistofexpressions.

BasicSocialEncounters

Greetings

Simplegreetings

Generalgreetings

Greetingsforvarioustimesoftheday

Greetingapersonyouhaven’tseeninalongtime

Welcomingsomeonewhohasreturned

Expressingsurpriseatmeetingsomeone

Afteryouhavegreetedsomeone

Concerningajourneyorvacation

SmallTalk

Expressingyourstateofhealthandhappiness

Tellinghowyouhavebeendoing—positive

Tellinghowyouhavebeendoing—neutral

Tellinghowyouhavebeendoing—negative

Explainingthatyouhavebeenbusy

Invitingafriendforadrinkorcoffee

Introductions

Introducingsomeonetosomeoneelse

Whenyouhavejustbeenintroducedtosomeone

Afteryouhavebeenintroducedtosomeone

Askinghowsomeoneis

Askingsomeonehowthingsaregoing

EndingaConversation

Signalingtheendofaconversation

Endingatelephoneconversation

Endingaconversationabruptly

Good-Byes

Simplegood-byes

Takingleaveofsomeone

Leavingaplace

Whensomeoneisleavingonajourney

Makingplanstokeepintouchwithsomeone

Agreeing

Simpleagreement

Statingyourconcurrence

Expressingacceptance

Statingthatyouunderstand

Makingsureyouareunderstood

Disagreeing

Statingsimpledisagreementorrefusal

Statingcategoricaldisagreement

Statingstrongdisagreement

Statingyourdisagreementwithaproposition

Expressingrejection

Expressingrefusal

Statingthatsomeoneiswrong

Arguingaboutthefacts

ConversationalEncounters

FocusingAttention

Gettingsomeone’sattention

Gettingsomeonetolistentoyou

Directingattentiontoanobject

Confirmingthatyouarepayingattention

LaunchingtheConversation

Startinganinformalconversation

Invitingsomeonetotalk

Comingtothepointofthematter

Requestingthatthespeakergettothepoint

Variousconversationalphrases

Encouragingsomeonetospeakplainly

Notingdigressionsinaconversation

Repeatingwhatyouhavesaid

Whensomeoneisbeingrepetitious

Agreeingwithaspeaker

Answersto“Howdidyoufindout?”

MakingFriends

Expressingfriendship

Commentingontheuniquenessofsomeone

Commentingonpersonalsimilarities

Expressionsusedtomakefriendsatabarorcafé

Invitingsomeonetodance

Approachingtheoppositesex

Askingsomeoneforadate

Turningsomeonedown

Bringingaconversationtoanend

ComplexMatters

Expressingsupportforsomeone

Offeringhelptosomeone

Expressingtrustinsomeone

Expressingencouragement

Encouragingsomeonetotrysomething

Encouragingsomeonetostopstallinganddosomething

Expressingdissatisfactionwithsomeone’sefforts

Askingsomeonetowait

Encouragingsomeonetobepatientandtakethingsslowly

Encouragingsomeonetobeprudent—clichés

Givingadvicetosomeonewhoselifeistoobusy

Givinginstructionstosomeoneyou’velentsomethingto

Introducingasecret

Instructionsaboutkeepingasecret

Promisingtokeepasecret

Forgetfulness

Whenyouareintrouble

Whensomeoneisintrouble

Whenyouareoutofmoney

Whensomeoneisindebt

Expressingstressoranxiety

Whenyouareoverworkedanddoingtoomuch

Whensomeoneisanxiousandunderstress

Encouragingsomeonenottobeoffended—informal

Encouragingsomeonenottobeexcited

Encouragingsomeonetorelax

Encouragingsomeonetobelessaggressive—informal

Whensomeoneiscoldandunfeeling—informal

Whattosaytoasmoker

Asmoker’sresponsetoanonsmoker’scomplaint

Questionsasmokermightask

Disputes

Criticismofsomeonewithwhomyoudisagree

Callingsomeonecrazy

Questioningsomeone’ssanity

Askingaboutthealertnessofsomeone

Encouragingsomeonetobemoresensible

Askingindisbeliefordisagreement

Whensomeonesayssomethingoutrageous

DiscussionandResolution

Askingforanexplanation

Encouraginganexplanation

Whenyoudonotunderstandsomeone

Whensomeonedoesnotunderstandyou

Criticizingsomeone’smisunderstanding

Attemptingtoputanendtoamisunderstanding

Encouragingsomeonetobelieveyou

Askingtobetrusted

Statingthatsomethingissettled

Claimingthatsomethingiseasytounderstand

Showingdisbelief

Expressingignorance

Expressingreluctance

Makingthebestofabadsituation

Blamingsomethingonfateordestiny

Knowingsomethingafterthefact

Expressingindifference

PoliteEncounters

Prefaces

Aprefacetoaskingaquestion

Aprefacetomakingastatement—formal

Aprefacetomakingastatement—informal

Aprefacetomakingastatement—verypolite

CommunicationBarriers

Askingifsomeonespeaksaparticularlanguage

Whenyoudonotspeakaparticularlanguage

Whenyoudonotunderstandwhatwassaid

Whenyoudonotunderstandwhataforeignvisitorhassaid

TellingTime

Askingthetimeofday

Thetimeis12:00o’clock

Thetimeisonthehour

Thetimeisapproximate

Thetimeistenminutespastthehour

Thetimeisfifteenorthirtyminutespastthehour

Thetimeisfortyminutespastthehour

Thetimeisforty-fiveminutespastthehour

Thetimeisfiftyminutespastthehour

Whenatimepieceisnotaccurate

GeneralPleasantries

Whenyourmovingaboutmaybothersomeone

Offeringtoletsomeoneenterinfrontofyou

Apologizingtosomeoneyouhavebothered

Returningsomeone’sgoodwishes

Agreeingtosomething—polite

Explainingthatyouwillattendtosomeonesoon

Askingforpermissiontoleaveaplace—polite

Sayinggood-bye—polite

Sayinggood-bye—informal

BusinessPleasantries

Announcingyourarrivalforanappointment

Beingassertive—polite

ApologizingandTakingResponsibility

Sincereapologies

Offeringaverypoliteapology

Acceptingtheblameforsomething

Admittingyourerrors

Promisingnevertorepeataparticularmistake

Offeringtomakeamends

Askingforforgiveness

Forgiving

Simpleforgiveness

Forgiveness—informal

Encouragingsomeonetoendadispute

ShowingGratitude

Saying“thankyou”—formal

Saying“thankyou”—informal

ReturningThanks

Acknowledgingsomeone’sthanks—formal

Acknowledgingsomeone’sthanks—informal

SpecialOccasions

Seeinganewbaby

Askingaboutanewbaby

Congratulatingsomeonefordoingagoodjob

Wishingsomeonewell

Expressingsympathyatafuneralorwake

ImpoliteEncounters

DealingwithUnpleasantness

Whensomeoneisconceitedorvain

Whensomeoneisoverbearing

Whensomeonehasbeeninsolentorrude—shockedresponse

Whensomeonehasbeeninsolentorrude—firmresponse

Whensomeonehasbeeninsolentorrude—ruderesponse

Encouragingatimidperson

Insultingacoward

Whensomeonearguestoomuch

Whensomeoneisbeingannoying

Invitinganannoyingpersontoleave

Whensomeoneisveryannoyingorhurtful

Gettingsomeonetostopdoingsomething

Whensomeoneismakingyouangry—rude

Askingtobeleftalone

Describingabothersomeperson

Whensomeonehasdonesomethingwrong—polite

Whensomeonehasdonesomethingwrong—amazed

Whensomeonehasdonesomethingwrong—sarcastic

Whensomeonemakesanunwelcomeintervention

Tellingsomeonetostayawayorkeepout

Askingsomeone’sintentions

Startingafight

Askingsomeonetoleaveyourpropertyalone

Askingsomeonetostayoutofyouraffairs

Whensomeoneisharassingyou—angryanddirect

Whensomeoneisharassingyou—rude

Whensomeoneispresumptuous

Whensomeonehasunderestimatedyourintelligence

Whensomeoneinterruptswithanopinion

Apologizing—sarcastic

Whensomeoneoverreacts

Whenpunishmentisinstoreforsomeone

Explainingharshjustice

Threateningretaliation

Requestingsilence

Requestingsomeonetostopneedlesstalk

Whensomeoneisnotdoingenough

Whensomeonestartstrouble

Expressingmocksympathy

Expressingmocksympathy—sarcastic

Whenyouarehelplesstohelp—rude

Visits

GuestsandHosts

Askingtovisitsomeone

Whenyouareinvitedtoaninformalmealinahome

Askingaboutaninvitationyouhavereceived

Apologizingforbeinglate

Explainingwhyoneislate

Whenyoufinallyarriveafterbeinglate

Greetingsforvisitors

Invitingavisitortocomein

Aftergreetingavisitor

Makingavisitorfeelwelcomeandcomfortable

Invitingavisitortostayfordinner

Encouragingaguesttofeelathome

Offeringaguestaseat

Steeringaguesttoaparticularroom

Encouragingaguesttobeindependent

Minglingwithotherguests

Whataguestsaystoahostorhostess

Startingaconversationusingthetopicofweather

Askingaquestiontostartaconversation

Startingaconversationwithsomeoneyouknowwell

Startingaconversationinawaitingroom

Talkingabouttheweather

Whattosaywheninacrowdedplace

Preparingtoleavehome

Statingwhenyouwillreturnhome

Preparingtoleaveahostorhostess

Whendeparting

Questionsaskedofdepartingguests

Sayinggood-byetodepartingguests

MiscellaneousExpressions

CommentsandPhrases

Generalexclamations

Religiousexpressions

Expressionsmeaning“almost”

Leavingthingsastheyare

Expressingdifferencesbetweenpeople—clichés

Warnings

Givingandreceiving—clichés

Causeandeffect—clichés

Sayingtheobvious—clichés

Expressionsforaforgottenwordorname

Regardingorderandprocedure

Describingamessyplace

Concerningunity—clichés

Concerningnostalgia

Concerningstrength—clichés

Concerningrigidityofcharacter—idiomsandclichés

Feelingwarmorhot

Feelingcoolorcold

Describingadditionalunspecifiedpeopleorthings

Concerningcleanliness

Concerningsurprise

Concerningexpectation

Concerningapremonition

Concerningbeingbusy—clichés

Makinganextraeffort

Demandingtobegivenanobject

Whensomeoneispreparingforanimportantevent—clichés

Whensomeoneisdressedup

Whenyoufeelyouarenotwanted

Regardingsomethinglessthanwhatwasdesired

Describingareprimand

Whensomethingisbroken

Whensomethingisoutoforder

Onbeingpushedtothelimitofyourpatience

PlansandProjects

Beginninganewprojectoractivity

Concerningthedeceptivelydifficult

Concerningtheimpossible

Concerningfutility

Whensomethingisunimportant

Endingaproject

Startingoveragainonaproject

PersonalMatters

Feelings

Askingifsomeoneisallright

Askingwhysomeonelookssounhappy

Offeringsomeonehelpandadvice

Encouragingsomeonewhoisunhappy

Whenyouaredepressed

Expressingdespairandemptiness

Whensomeonelooksveryhappy

Whensomeoneisveryhappy—idioms

Expressingenthusiasmforlife

Whensomeoneiscontent

Whensomeoneiscarefree

Whensomeoneisresignedtolifeasitis

Expressingdispleasurewithsomething

Askingsomeonetostopbeingunpleasant

Dullnessandboredom

Dullnessinpeople

Excitementinpeople

Anxiety

Whenyoufeeloutofplace

Expressinganger

Expressingfright

Whenyoudonotknowwhattosay

TheSenses

Difficultyinhearing

Anearformusic

Hearingloudandsoftsounds

Concerningearsorhearing

Thetasteoffoods

Offeringsomeoneasmallportionoffood

Expressinghunger

Identifyingsmells

Physicalresponses

Thesenseoftouch

Difficultieswithseeing

Concerninggoodvision

Concerningvisionandbelief

HealthandAppearance

Whensomeoneisingoodhealth

Observingthatsomeonelooksdisorderly

Whensomeonelooksverybad

Inquiringaboutsomeone’shealthorwell-being

Whensomeonedoesnotlookwell

Sickness

Concerningallergies

Allergicproblemswiththenoseandbreathing

Whensomeonesneezes

Allergicproblemswiththeeyes

Allergicproblemswiththeskin

Expressinggeneralfeelingsofillness

Expressingmilddiscomfortowingtoillness

Whenyoufeellikevomiting

Describingapaininthehead

Describingdizziness

Describingbeingexhaustedorwornout

Offeringcaretoasickperson

Concerningcatchingadisease

Questionsforthehospitalpatient

Explainingthatyourhealthisimproving

Explainingthatyouarereceivingmedicalcare

Explainingthatyouarecuredofahealthproblem

FamilyMatters

HomeLife

Describingfamilyrelationships

Familysolidarity

Askingaboutameal

Announcingameal

Instructionsgiventochildreninthekitchen

Blessingthefood

Secondservings

Instructingchildrenongoodtablemanners

Doingthedishes

Askingtoleavethedinnertableearly

Instructingchildrentofinisheating

Concerningaradioorstereo

Concerningfurnitureorcarpeting

Concerningtelevision

Changingthetelevisionchannel

Managingatelevisionset

Concerningcomputers

Managingacomputer

Takinganap

Goingtobedandtosleep

Sayinggoodnight

Commandsforadog

Caringforpets

Education

Gettingreadytostudyordohomework

Talkingtoachild’steacher

Returningtoschoolafteranabsence

Questioningacollegeprofessor

Askingforclarificationinacollegeclassroom

Askingaboutclassroomexaminations

Askingaboutaclassroomassignment

Askingaboutgrades

Children

Meetingchildren

Concerningachild’sgrowthanddevelopment

Posingquestionstochildren

Praisingasmallchild

Scoldingachild

Encouragingachildtobequiet

Askingachildtostopsomebehavior

Askingachildtoleavethingsalone

Askingachildtoleavepeoplealone

Makingsureachildunderstands

Concerningachild’suseofgoodmanners

FoodandDrink

Restaurants

Askingforatableatarestaurant

Concerningseatinginarestaurant

Concerningsmokinginarestaurant

Explainingthatsomeoneelsewilljoinyouatarestaurant

Greetingsfromawaiterorwaitress

Questionsawaiterorwaitressmightask

Recitingspecialmealoffersfortheday

Whenarestaurantisoutofsomeitem

Questionsaskedofarestaurantcustomer

Requestingsomethingtodrinkatarestaurant

Requestingattentionfromawaiterorwaitress

Explainingtoawaiterorwaitressthatyouarenotreadytoorder

Indicatingreadinesstoorderamealatarestaurant

Askingaboutspecificitemsonarestaurantmenu

Requestingthatcertainfoodsnotbeservedtoyouinarestaurant

Concerningfoodallergieswhenorderingatarestaurant

Tellinghowasteakistobecookedinarestaurant

Requestingadditionalservingsinarestaurant

Orderingwineinarestaurant

Makingacomplaintinarestaurant

Askingaboutthelocationofarestroominapublicbuilding

Orderingfoodtobetakenout

Requeststohaveuneatenfoodwrappedsoitcanbetakenhome

Whenyourfoodisbroughttothetableinarestaurant

Askingforadiner’sopinionofameal

Awaiterorwaitressseekingtobeoffurtherservice

Awaiterorwaitresso?eringdessert

Askingforthebillinarestaurant

Aboutpaymentforamealinarestaurant

Concerningthepaymentofabillinarestaurant

Bars

Abartenderaskingwhatyouwant

Askingwhat’savailableatabar

Requestingaglassorbottleofbeer

Variousrequestsfordrinksfromabartender

Specialinstructionstoabartender

Buyingdrinkswithfriends

Chargesfordrinksatabar

Expressionsusedwithfriendsatabaraskingaboutdrinks

Expressionsaboutdrinkingadditionaldrinks

Askingforasmalldrinkofbeveragealcohol

Encouragingsomeonetodrink

Askingaboutthetimethatabarcloses

Encouragingsomeonetofinishadrink

Drinkingtoasts

Whensomeonedrinkstoomuch

Statingthatsomeoneisdrunk

HomeCooking

Statingthatyouarehungry

Askingwhenamealwillbeready

Askingwhatisfordinner

Statingwhenfoodwillbeready

Offeringsomeoneabitoffood

Blessingthefood

Concerningpassingfoodatthetable

Concerningadditionalservingsoffood

Enforcinggoodtablemanners

Cleaningupafterameal

Excusingoneselffromthetable

Encouragingchildrentoeat

Shopping

StoresandShops

Askingaboutstorehours

Asalespersongreetingacustomer

Asalespersonofferinghelptoacustomer

Questionsasalespersonmightaskacustomer

Offeringmerchandisetoacustomer

Offeringadditionalhelptoacustomer

Findingthingsinadepartmentstore

Shoppingforsomethingatadepartmentstore

Whenyouarejustlookingandnotbuying

Choosingmerchandiseinastore

Questionsacustomermightaskinastore

Whenacustomerwantstotryonclothing

Encouragingremarksasalespersonmightmaketoacustomer

Askinghowapurchasewillbepaidfor

Whenasalespersoncannotsupplyexactlywhatiswanted

Whenmerchandiseisnotsatisfactory

Askingaboutpaymentplansinastore

Gettingapurchasegiftwrappedinastore

TelephonesandMobileDevices

AnsweringtheTelephone

Receivingcommunicationsonyourmobiledevice

Answeringthetelephone—residential

Answeringthetelephone—business

Askingwhomatelephonecallerwantstotalkto

Screeningsomeone’stelephonecalls

Connectingortransferringatelephonecaller

Puttingatelephonecalleronhold

Interruptingatelephonecallwithotherbusiness

Takingacalloffhold

Offeringtotakeamessagefromatelephonecaller

Offeringtohelpatelephonecaller

Bringingatelephonecalltoanend

ConversationalAmericanEnglishExpressions

BASICSOCIALENCOUNTERS

Greetings

1Simplegreetings

Hi!Hello!Hellothere!Howdy!Hey!Yo!(slang)

2Generalgreetings

Howareyou?How’sitgoing?How’sitbeen?Howiseverything?How’severything?Howhaveyoubeen?

Howhaveyoubeen?How’veyoubeen?Howyoubeen?(informal)How’stricks?(informal)Whathaveyoubeenupto?What’snew?(informal)What’sup?(informal)Wusup?/Wassup?(slang)What’shappening?(slang)What’sgoingon?(slang)

3Greetingsforvarioustimesoftheday

Goodmorning.Morning.Mornin’.(informal)Howareyouthisbrightmorning?Goodafternoon.Afternoon.Goodevening.Evening.

4Greetingapersonyouhaven’tseeninalongtime

Ihaven’tseenyouinyears!

Longtimenosee!(informal)Ihaven’tseenyouinanage!Ihaven’tseenyouinamonth

ofSundays!amonthofSundays=alongtime

5Welcomingsomeonewhohasreturned

Welcomeback!Welcomeback,stranger!Longtimenosee!(cliché)Wherewereyou?Wherehaveyoubeen?Wheredidyougo?

6Expressingsurpriseatmeetingsomeone

Whatasurprisetomeetyouhere!Imaginemeetingyouhere!(cliché)Fancymeetingyouhere.(cliché)Never

thoughtI’dseeyouhere!Whatareyoudoinginthisneckofthewoods?

neckofthewoods=partoftown,locationWhatareyoudoinginthispartoftown?Whatareyoudoingoutoftheoffice?

Whatareyoudoingoutoftheoffice?Where’veyoubeenhidingyourself?Whathaveyoubeenupto?Shouldn’tyoubeinschool?Shouldn’tyoubeatwork?Haveyoubeenkeepingbusy?Youbeenkeepingbusy?Beenkeepingbusy?

7Afteryouhavegreetedsomeone

Weseemtokeeprunningintoeachother.Haven’twemetbefore?Wehavetostopmeetinglikethis.(cliché)Didn’twemeetatthatpartylast

week?I’msorry;I’veforgottenyourname.I’vebeenmeaningtocallyou.

8Concerningajourneyorvacation

Howwasit?Howdiditgo?DideverythinggoOK?

Didyouhavefun?You’llhavetotellusallaboutit.Didyoutakeanypictures?Doyouhavepictures?Werethelocalsfriendly?Werethenativesfriendly?Didyoubringmeanything?Wemissedyou.Wemissedyouaroundhere.We’vemissedyouaroundhere.Itjustwasn’tthesamewithoutyou.

SmallTalk

9Expressingyourstateofhealthandhappiness

Fine.I’mfine.I’mcool.(slang)Keepingcool.Dandy.(informal)Fineanddandy.Great.Couldn’tbebetter.Happyasaclam.(cliché)Okay.Allright.(I)can’tcomplain.Nocomplaints.Ihavenothingtocomplainabout.

10Tellinghowyouhavebeendoing—positive

Keepingbusy.Keepingmyselfbusy.

Keepingmyselfbusy.Beenkeepingmyselfbusy.Keepingoutoftrouble.Beenkeepingoutoftrouble.Beenuptonogood.(informal)Beenkeepingmynoseclean.(informal)

11Tellinghowyouhavebeendoing—neutral

Gettingby.Beengettingby.Fairtomiddling.(folksy)So-so.(informal)Pluggingalong.(informal)Couldbeworse.Couldbebetter.(Just)muddlingthrough.Sameasalways.Sameasusual.Sameo(l)’sameo(l)’(informal)

12Tellinghowyouhavebeendoing—negative

Notgood.Notsogood.Nottoogood.

Nottoogood.Nonetoogood.Notwell.Notverywell.Notsowell.

Nottoowell.Nonetoowell.Notsohot.Nottoohot.Nonetoohot.Notgreat.Notsogreat.Nonetoogreat.Crummy.(slang)Kindofcrummy.(slang)Lousy.(slang)I’veseenbetterdays.I’vehadbetterdays.Couldbebetter.I’vebeenbetter.

I’vebeenbetter.I’vebeenundertheweather.

13Explainingthatyouhavebeenbusy

I’mbusy.Keepingbusy.Keepingmyselfbusy.Beenkeepingmyselfbusy.I’mswamped.

swamped=overwhelmed,aswithaswampedboatI’msnowedunder.

snowedunder=asifburiedinsnowIdon’thavetimetobreathe.Idon’thavetimetothink.Therearen’tenoughhoursintheday.Notamomenttospare.I’vebeenrunningaroundwithmyheadcutoff.(informal)I’vebeenrunning

aroundlikeachickenwithitsheadcutoff.(informal)

14Invitingafriendforadrinkorcoffee

Doyouhavetimeforcoffee?Howaboutacupofcoffee?Let’sgogetcoffee.Doyouhaveanytime?Let’sgoforcoffee.Let’sgoforabeer.Let’sgoforadrink.

Introductions

15Introducingsomeonetosomeoneelse

I’dlikeyoutomeetmyfriendMary.I’dlikeyoutomeetMary.ThisismyfriendMary.John,(thisis)Mary.Mary,John.Mary,haveyoumetJohn?Mary,doyouknowJohn?Mary,shakehandswithJohnJones.Doyoutwoknoweachother?Haveyoumet?Haveyoutwobeenintroduced?Haven’tyoubeenintroduced?Oh,I’msorry;howsillyofme.ThisisMary.Mary,JohnistheguyIwastellingyouabout.(informal)Youtwohavealotin

common.

16Whenyouhavejustbeenintroducedtosomeone

Goodtomeetyou.Nicetomeetyou.Nicemeetingyou.Hownicetomeetyou.(formal)Howverynicetomeetyou.(formal)Whata

pleasuretomeetyou.(formal)It’sapleasuretohavefinallymetyou.(formal)Iampleasedtomakeyouracquaintance.(formal)I’mhappyto

meetyou.I’mgladtomeetyou.Gladtomeetyou.Charmed.(formal)Apleasure.(formal)

17Afteryouhavebeenintroducedtosomeone

I’vebeenwantingtomeetyouforsometime.Johnhastoldmeallaboutyou.Johnhastoldmesomuchaboutyou.I’veheardsomuchaboutyou.I’veheardsomuchaboutyouIfeelIknowyoualready.Sowefinallymeetfacetoface.We’veexchangede-mails;it’snicetomeetinperson.I’msorry,whatwasyournameagain?Ididn’tcatchyourname.I’mterribleatnames.

18Askinghowsomeoneis

Howareyou?How’syourfamily?How’sthefamily?

How’sthefamily?Howareyoudoing?Howareyoudoingtoday?Howyoudoing?AreyoudoingOK?Howareyoufeeling?Howyoufeeling?Areyoufeelingbettertoday?Howhaveyoubeen?Howyoubeen?

19Askingsomeonehowthingsaregoing

How’rethings?How’rethingswithyou?How’rethingsgoing?How’swithyou?How’sbyyou?(slang)How’sbusiness?How’stricks?(slang)How’sitshakin’?(slang)How’severything?How’severylittlething?(folksy)How’severythinggoing?

How’sitgoing?Howgoesit?Howgoesitwithyou?Howareyougettingon?Howareyougettingalong?How’stheworld(been)treatingyou?

EndingaConversation

20Signalingtheendofaconversation

Oh,lookatthetime!It’sgettinglater.Well,David,it’sreallygoodtoseeyou,butIreallymustgo.It’sbeenfuntalkingtoyou.(It’sbeen)nicechattingwithyou.It’ssogoodtoseeyouagain.Wehavetomakeplanstogettogethersometime.Let’sdolunchsometime.

21Endingatelephoneconversation

Ireallyhavetogonow.We’lltalksometime.

Ireallyhavetogonow.We’lltalksometime.There’ssomeoneontheotherline.Imustsaygood-byenow.Thedoorbellisringing.I’llcallyouback.CanIcallyouback?Somethinghascomeup.Ihavetogetbacktomywork.I’llcallagainlater.Canwecontinuethislater?Myotherlineisringing.Ihavetogetbacktoworkbeforethebossseesme.Iwon’tkeepyouanylonger.I’llletyougonow.

22Endingaconversationabruptly

I’mgoingtohavetorun.Mustrun.(informal)I’malloutoftime.I’llhavetosaygood-byenow.Lookatthetime.Ireallymustgo.It’sbeengreattalkingtoyou,butIhavetogo.Wow!I’mlate.Look,I’llcallyou.Sorry,butIhavetoleavenow.Let’scontinuethisanothertime.Ireallymustgo.

Good-Byes

23Simplegood-byes

Good-bye.Bye.Bye-bye.Solong.Ta-ta.(informal)Farewell.Cheerio.

Hastalavista.(Spanish)Adios.(Spanish)Aufwiedersehen.(German)Sayonara.(Japanese)Arrivederci.(Italian)Aurevoir.(French)Adieu.(French)Ciao.(Italian)Goodday.(formal)Goodevening.(formal)Goodnight.Good-byeuntillater.Good-byeuntilnexttime.Good-byefornow.Seeyoulater.Seeyoulater,alligator.(slang)Later,gator.(slang)Later.(informal)I’lltrytocatchyoulater.I’llcatchyoulater.Catchyoulater.

Catchyoulater.I’lltalktoyousoon.Let’sgettogethersoon.I’llbeseeingyou.I’llseeyourealsoon.Seeyou.Seeya.(informal)Seeyousoon.Seeyourealsoon.Seeyouaround.Seeyouinalittlewhile.Seeyounextyear.Seeyouthen.Seeyoutomorrow.

24Takingleaveofsomeone

Goodrunningintoyou.runningintoyou=meetingupwithyou

Nicerunningintoyou.Nicetalkingtoyou.Takecare.(Itwas)goodtoseeyou.(Itwas)nicetoseeyou.Nicemeetingyou.Itwasapleasuremeetingyou.(formal)Itisapleasuretohavemetyou.

(formal)It’sbeenarealpleasure.(formal)

25Leavingaplace

Arewereadytoleave?Areyouaboutfinished?Areyoureadytogo?Readytogo?Readytoroll?(slang)Areweaway?(slang)Let’sblow.(slang)

blow=leaveLet’sgetoutofthistacostand.(slang)tacostand=acheapplace;an

undesirableplaceLet’sblowthisjoint.(slang)=Let’sleavethisplace.Let’sgowhilethegoing’sgood.(cliché)Let’s=Timeto,We’vegottoLet’sgetwhilethegetting’sgood.(cliché)Let’sheadout.Let’sbeatahastyretreat.(cliché)Let’smaketracks.(informal)maketracks=

leaveatrail(aswego)Let’smotor.(slang)tomotor=toleavebyautomobileLet’shittheroad.(slang)Let’sboogie.(slang)Let’ssplit.(slang)

Let’smakelikeatreeandleave.(jocular)Let’smakelikethewindandblow.(jocular)Let’smakelikeabananaandsplit.(jocular)Exitstageright.

Exitstageleft.Retreat!(slang)

26Whensomeoneisleavingonajourney

Bonvoyage!Haveagoodtrip!Haveaniceflight.

Haveanicetrip.Haveasafetrip.Haveasafejourney.Drivecarefully.Takecareofyourself.Takecare.We’llmissyou.Allthebest.

27Makingplanstokeepintouchwithsomeone

I’llcallyouwhenIgethome.Callwhenyougetthere.Don’tforgettocall.Writeme.Let’swrite.You’vegotmye-mailaddress?Textme.I’monFacebook.

Facebook=Twitter,MySpace,LinkedIn,etc.Let’sdolunch.I’llbeintouch.Let’skeepintouch.

Agreeing

28Simpleagreement

Yes.Yeah.(informal)Yep.(informal)Yup.(informal)Right.You’reright.Rightyouare.Righton!Right-o.Uh-huh.Sure.Surething.Yougotit.Youbet.Absolutely.Byallmeans.

29Statingyourconcurrence

Thisistrue.That’strue.

That’strue.You’reright.Ain’tthatthetruth?Ain’titthetruth?

That’sright.That’sforcertain.That’sforsure.That’sfordarnsure.That’sfordamnsure.(mildlyvulgar)Damnstraight!(mildlyvulgar)Itworks

forme.Wellsaid.Iagree.Iagreewithyou100percent.Icouldn’tagreewithyoumore.Ihavenoproblemwiththat.Weseeeyetoeyeonthis.Icouldn’thavesaiditbetter.Youtookthewordsrightoutofmymouth.I’lldrinktothat!

30Expressingacceptance

It’sfine.Ithinkit’sfine.It’sgoodenough.It’ssatisfactory.It’lldo.It’llservethepurpose.Ilikeit.Iloveit.Ithinkit’sgreat.Ilikethecolor.Ilikethetexture.Iliketheflavor.It’sgotagoodrhythm.It’swonderful.It’sfabulous.It’sideal.It’samasterpiece.

It’sperfect.It’sA-1.Thisissecondtonone.Thisisperfect.Thisisfarandawaythebest.Thisistheultimate.Itcouldn’tbebetter.Neverbeenbetter.There’snonebetter.Itdoesn’tgetanybetterthanthis.I’veneverseenanythinglikeit.Thisisthecreamofthecrop.(cliché)Thisisthepickofthelitter.(idiomatic)

litter=agroupofnewbornpupsThisisthecrêmedelacrême.(cliché)=Thisisthebestofthebest.Thisisheadandshouldersabovetherest.ThatsuitsmetoaT.

=Thatsuitsmefine.That’stheticket.(idiomatic)That’sjustwhatthedoctorordered.(idiomatic)

That’sjustwhatIneeded.Thathitsthespot.(idiomatic)Thatfitsthebill.(idiomatic)That’sit.That’sthegreatestthingsinceslicedbread.(cliché)It’sinaleagueofitsown.Igiveitfourstars.Itgetstwothumbsup.(idiomatic)I’vehitthejackpot.

jackpot=sumofmoneytobewoningamblingBingo!(slang)

=Ididit!Jackpot!(slang)

=Ididit!;Itisgood!Bull’s-eye!(slang)Bonusscore!(slang)

31Statingthatyouunderstand

Ihearyou.Ihearyou,man.Ihearwhatyou’resaying.Iseewhatyou’resaying.Icanseewhatyou’resaying.Icanseethat.Iseewhatyoumean.Iseewhereyou’recomingfrom.Iknow.Iknowwhatyoumean.Pointwelltaken.Iknowwhatyou’retalkingabout.Iunderstandwhatyou’resaying.Understood.Idigit.(slang)Icandigit.(slang)Igotyou.Gotcha.(I)gotit.

(I)gotit.Ifollowyou.I’mwithyou.I’mtherewithyou.I’vebeenthere.Readyouloudandclear.Roger.Roger,wilco.

wilco=willcomplyRogerDodger.(slang)

32Makingsureyouareunderstood

DoyouknowwhatImean?DoyouknowwhatI’mtalkingabout?KnowwhatImean?Doesthatmakeanysense?AmImakingsense?Areyoufollowingme?KnowwhatI’msaying?Youknow?DoyouseewhatImean?

DoyouseewhatImean?SeewhatImean?Don’tyousee?Doyougetthemessage?Doyougetthepicture?Getthemessage?Getthepicture?Getmydrift?Doyougetit?Getit?Doyoufollow?Doyoufollowme?Dig?(slang)

=Doyouunderstand?Understand?Doyouunderstand?DoyouhearwhatI’msaying?Doyouhearme?DoyouseewhereI’mcomingfrom?

whereI’mcomingfrom=whatmypositionisDoyouagree?You’rewithme,right?Areyouwithmeonthis?Doweseeeyetoeyeonthis?

Disagreeing

33Statingsimpledisagreementorrefusal

No.Nope.Noway.Notachance.

Notachance.Not!(slang)Uh-uh.Idon’tthinkso.

34Statingcategoricaldisagreement

That’snottrue.That’snotright.You’vegotthatwrong.You’vegotitallwrong.Wrong!Youmissedtheboat.(idiomatic)You’remissingtheboat.(idiomatic)Wrong

onbothcounts.You’rewrong.You’redeadwrong.You’reoff.You’rewayoffbase.

35Statingstrongdisagreement

Idisagreecompletely.Icouldn’tdisagree(withyou)more.

Horsefeathers!(slang)Bullshit.(taboo)That’sBS.(mildlyvulgar)Bull.(mildlyvulgar)Baloney.(slang)That’saloadofcrap.(mildlyvulgar)That’salotofbull.(mildlyvulgar)That’s

alotofbaloney.(slang)That’sabunchofbaloney.(slang)That’sabunchofmalarkey.(slang)Lies!

That’salie.That’sabig,fatlie.(informal)You’relyingthroughyourteeth.Lookmeintheeyeandsaythat.

36Statingyourdisagreementwithaproposition

That’soutofthequestion.That’sunthinkable.That’sinsane.Thatdoesn’tevenmeritaresponse.I’llgivethatalltheconsiderationit’sdue.

37Expressingrejection

Ican’tstandit.Ihateit.

Ihateit.Idon’tcareforit.Idon’tlikeit.It’snotmystyle.It’snotforme.Itstinks.(informal)Itsucks.(mildlyvulgar)Itreeks.(informal)Mykidcoulddothat.It’sawful.It’sterrible.It’sugly.It’shideous.It’sdreadful.It’shellonearth.(informal)Idon’tgetit.Don’tquityourdayjob.

38Expressingrefusal

No.Nope.(informal)Noway.

Noway.Noway,José.(informal)Nocando.(informal)No,sir.Nosirree.(folksy)Nosirree,Bob.(folksy)Sorry.Nothingdoing.You’reoutofluck.Inapig’seye.(idiomatic)Whenpigsfly.(idiomatic)Whenhellfreezesover.

(informal)Thereisn’tasnowball’schanceinhell.(informal)Notachance.Nochance.NotifIcanhelpit.Notlikely.Notbloodylikely.(mildlyvulgar)Absolutelynot!ItwillbeacolddayinhellbeforeIdothat.(informal)Onlyinyourdreams.Dreamon.Saveyourbreath.Saveit.You’rebarkingupthewrongtree.(idiomatic)Overmydeadbody.(idiomatic)

Forgetit.Ifyouthinkthat,you’vegotanotherthinkcoming.Notinamillionyears.Notforamilliondollars.Youcouldn’tpaymetodoit.Notinyourwildestdreams.Youwish.I’llbedamnedfirst.(mildlyvulgar)I’llbedamnedifIdo.(mildlyvulgar)

DamnedifIwill.(mildlyvulgar)Likehell.(mildlyvulgar)I’llseeyouinhellfirst.(mildlyvulgar)

39Statingthatsomeoneiswrong

Whatareyoutalkingabout?

Whatareyoutalkingabout?Youdon’tknowwhatyou’retalkingabout.Youdon’thavealegtostandon.Youhaven’tgotalegtostandon.Youdon’tknowthefirstthingaboutit.You’rereallystretchingthetruth.You’rewayoffbase.Youcanlaythatnotiontorest.

40Arguingaboutthefacts

You’vegotitallwrong.You’vegotthefactswrong.You’vegotyourfactswrong.Youhaven’tgotthefacts.Youhaven’tgotthefactsright.Idon’tthinkyou’vegotyourfactsstraight.Don’tspeakuntilyou’vegotyourfactsstraight.Nexttimegetthefactsstraight.(informal)Nexttimegetthefactsfirst.

(informal)Don’tjumptoconclusions.

CONVERSATIONALENCOUNTERS

FocusingAttention

41Gettingsomeone’sattention

Pardonme.(formal)Excuseme.Hey!(informal)Hey,you!(informal)Yo!(slang)

42Gettingsomeonetolistentoyou

Lookhere.(informal)Listenhere.(informal)Listenup.(informal)Getaloadofthis.(informal)Nowhearthis!(informal)Hearmeout.Areyoureadyforthis?(informal)Listen.(informal)Areyoulisteningtome?Areyoupayingattention?I’mtalkingtoyou.Doyouhearme?

Doyouhearme?DoIhaveyourear?(idiomatic)CanIbendyourearaminute?(idiomatic)Am

Imakingmyselfheard?

43Directingattentiontoanobject

Lookatthis.Takealookatthis.

Getaloadofthis.Takeaganderatthat.(informal)agander=alookFeastyoureyesonthis.Lookwhatwehavehere.Lookiehere.(informal)Lookit.(slang)Lookhere.Canyoueyeballthis(foraminute)?(slang)toeyeball=tolookatCanyoubelieveyoureyes?Idon’tbelievemyeyes.Domyeyesdeceiveme?That’sasightforsoreeyes.

44Confirmingthatyouarepayingattention

Ihearyou.Iheardyou.I’mlistening.I’mstillhere.I’mallears.

LaunchingtheConversation

45Startinganinformalconversation

Guesswhat?Haveyouheardthelatest?Haveyouheard?Didyouhearwhathappened?Didyouhearthenews?Didyougetthescoop?(informal)thescoop=themostrecentnewsYou’llneverguesswhatIheard.You’llneverguesswhatIreadonline.GuesswhatIjustsawonline.GuesswhatIjustfoundout.Youwon’tbelievethis.Youwon’tbelievewhatBilljusttoldme.Getaloadofthis.(informal)aload=asamplingGetthis.(informal)Digthis.(slang)

todig=tounderstand

46Invitingsomeonetotalk

Yougotaminute?Gotaminute?Ineedtotalk.Canwetalk?CanItalktoyou?MayIhaveawordwithyou?(formal)Let’stalk.Let’schewthefat.(slang)Let’sshootthebreeze.(slang)

47Comingtothepointofthematter

MayIbefrank?Letmebeperfectlyclear.Makenobonesaboutit.(idiomatic)=Donotmakeanybonesofcontention

aboutthis.Readmylips.(informal)

=PaycloseattentiontowhatIamsaying.(Toamakea)longstoryshort.(cliché)Let’scallaspadeaspade.(cliché)Let

mespellitoutforyou.Here’sthebottomline.

thebottomline=thesummation;thefinalandmajorpoint

48Requestingthatthespeakergettothepoint

What’syourpoint?What’sthepoint?What’stheupshot?

theupshot=theresultWhat’sthebottomline?

thebottomline=thesummation;thefinalandmajorpointWhatareyoutryingtosay?Whatareyoutryingtotellme?Gettothepoint.Gettotheheartofthematter.Cuttothechase.(idiomatic)=Switchtothefocalpointofsomething.

49Variousconversationalphrases

IfImay.=IfImayinterrupt.;IfImayaddsomeinformation.

PardonmyFrench.=Pardonmyuseofvulgarwords.

Nopunintended.=Iintendedtomakenojokeorplayonwords.

IfyouknowwhatImean.=IassumeyouunderstandwhatImean.

KnowwhatImean?(informal)=DoyouunderstandwhatIamsaying?YouknowwhatI’msaying?

=DoyouunderstandwhatIamsaying?Youknow?

Youknow?=DoyouunderstandwhatIamsaying?

Right?=Isthatnotso?

OK?=Isthatnotso?

50Encouragingsomeonetospeakplainly

Enoughalready.(informal)Outwithit!(informal)=Sayit!;Speakout!

Don’tmincewords.tomince=tocutupordisguise

Spare(me)nothing.Layitontheline.(informal)Tellittomelikeaman.(informal)Giveittome

straight.(informal)straight=unadornedGiveittomeinplainEnglish.

plainEnglish=simpleanddirecttermsDon’tbeataroundthebush.(idiomatic)Stopbeatingaroundthebush.

(idiomatic)Stopcircumventingtheissue.Putyourcardsonthetable.(idiomatic)Stopspeakingincircles.WhatdoesthatmeaninEnglish?(informal)Cutthecrap.(mildlyvulgar)crap

=dung=needlesstalk

51Notingdigressionsinaconversation

That’sbesidethepoint.That’sbesidethequestion.That’snotatissue.That’snottheissue.That’sirrelevant.Thathasnothingtodowithit.ThathasnothingtodowithwhatI’mtalkingabout.That’sanotherstory.That’sawhole‘notherstory.(folksy)That’sadifferentballofwax.(idiomatic)

ballofwax=thing;matterThat’sadifferentkettleoffish.(idiomatic)kettleoffish=thing;matterThat’sanothercanofworms.(idiomatic)canofworms=setofproblemsThat’sahorseofadifferentcolor.(idiomatic)ahorseofadifferentcolor=a

differentkindofproblemaltogetherYou’reoffonatangent.You’regettingoffthesubject.Asyouweresaying...Gettingbacktothepoint...ButIdigress.(formal)

52Repeatingwhatyouhavesaid

Letmerepeatmyself.Allowmetorepeatmyself.(formal)Attheriskofrepeatingmyself...AsI’vesaid...AsIamfondofsaying...Toreiterate...Torepeat...HowmanytimesdoIhavetotellyou?IfI’vetoldyouonce,I’vetoldyouathousandtimes.(cliché)IfI’vesaidit

once,I’vesaiditamilliontimes.(cliché)

53Whensomeoneisbeingrepetitious

Soyousaid.Stopbeatingadeadhorse.

beatingadeadhorse=continuingtoargueapointthathasbeenwon

Stopharpingonthatsubject.harpingon=dwellingon;talkingabout

Yousoundlikeabrokenrecord.(idiomatic)brokenrecord=agroovedLPalbumwithascratchthatmakesthesametrackrepeatendlessly

Mustyoubelaborthepoint?Allright,already.Wegetthepoint,already.Weheardyou,already.

54Agreeingwithaspeaker

Soitseems.Soitwouldseem.Orsoitwouldappear.Asitwere.

Asitwere.Sotospeak.Inamannerofspeaking.

55Answersto“Howdidyoufindout?”

Ihearditthroughthegrapevine.thegrapevine=achainofrumors

Ihearditonthegrapevine.Alittlebirdtoldme.(cliché)Ihavemysources.Igotitstraightfromthehorse’smouth.(idiomatic)fromthehorse’smouth=

fromthesourceIt’scommonknowledge.Weliveinafishbowl.(informal)=Wearecompletelyondisplay.;Weare

openlyvisibletoeveryone.Wordtravelsfast.(cliché)Newstravelsfast.(cliché)Badnewstravelsfast.

(cliché)Noneofyourbusiness.(informal)Justnever(you)mind.Wehaveourways(offindingthesethingsout).(jocular)Ipleadthefifth.

(informal)I’mtakingthefifth.(informal)thefifth=theFifthAmendmenttotheU.S.Constitution,whichprotectsagainstself-incrimination

I’mnotonetokissandtell.(cliché)tokissandtell=todosomethingsecretandtelleveryoneaboutit

MakingFriends

56Expressingfriendship

We’reveryclose.We’retheclosestoffriends.We’rethebestoffriends.We’rebestfriends.We’reprettytight.They’rebosombuddies.She’smybestfriend.She’smyclosestfriend.She’sadearfriend.She’slikeasistertome.He’slikethebrotherIneverhad.We’relikebrothers.

57Commentingontheuniquenessofsomeone

He’soneofakind.Sue’soneofakind.Whatacharacter!Theydon’tmakethemlikehimanymore.(cliché)Aftertheymadehim,they

brokethemold.(cliché)

58Commentingonpersonalsimilarities

We’retwoofakind.They’retwoofakind.We’recutfromthesamecloth.We’remadefromthesamemold.We’rebirdsofafeather.(cliché)We’reliketwopeasinapod.

59Expressionsusedtomakefriendsatabarorcafé

MayIjoinyou?Isthisstooltaken?Isthisseattaken?DoyoucareifIjoinyou?CareifIjoinyou?DoyoumindifIjoinyou?MindifIjoinyou?Caretojoinus?CanIbuyyouadrink?CouldIbuyyouadrink?CouldIgetyousomethingtodrink?Whatareyoudrinking?Doyouknowwhodoesthissong?

Doyouknowwhodoesthissong?does=sings

Wouldyouliketoplaydarts?Let’splaypool.

pool=billiards

60Invitingsomeonetodance

Caretodance?Wouldyouliketodance?Youwanttodance?(informal)CouldIhavethenextdance?MayIhavethenextdance?(formal)

61Approachingtheoppositesex

That’saprettyoutfit.(maletofemale)That’saprettydress.(maletofemale)What’sshaking?(slang)shaking=happening

Don’tIknowyoufromsomewhere?Didn’twegotohighschooltogether?Haven’tIseenyouherebefore?Doyoucomehereoften?

Doyoucomehereoften?What’sanicegirllikeyoudoinginaplacelikethis?(maletofemale,cliché)

Doyouhaveasmoke?asmoke=acigarette

Doyouhavealight?alight=amatchorcigarettelighter

Doyouhaveacigarette?Doyouhavechangeforthecigarettemachine?Wouldyouliketogosomewherequieter?Areyougoingmyway?Goingmyway?(cliché)CouldIgiveyoualift?

alift=arideNeedalift?Wherehaveyoubeenkeepingyourself?Wherehaveyoubeenallmylife?(cliché)

62Askingsomeoneforadate

AreyoufreeSaturdayevening?AreyoufreeSaturdaynight?Areyoubusyonthe15th?Whatareyouuptothisweekend?Whatareyoudoingnextweekend?Wouldyouliketogotodinner?Wouldyouliketogoouttodinnerwithme?Iwaswonderingifyou’dliketogoout.Iwaswonderingifyou’dliketoseeamovie.Ifyou’renotdoinganything,wouldyouliketogotoapartywithme?Ifyoudon’thaveotherplans,wouldyouliketogodancing?

63Turningsomeonedown

I’mnotinterested.I’mseeingsomeoneelse.Ihaveotherplans.I’vegotsomethinggoingon.Somethingsuddenlycameup.Ihavetowashmyhair.Mycalendarisfull.You’renotmytype.Notifyouwerethelastmanonearth.(rude)Youmustbejoking.(rude)Idon’t

feeluptoit.Ihaveaheadache.Please.(withadisgustedtoneofvoice)

64Bringingaconversationtoanend

Let’scallitaday.Let’scallitanight.Let’scallitquits.

=Let’squit(andleave).Let’sgetoutofhere.Let’sgetgoing.

Let’sgetgoing.Let’sgo.Weshouldbeonourway.Let’sbidourfarewell.(formal)Let’ssayourgood-byes.(formal)

ComplexMatters

65Expressingsupportforsomeone

I’llstandbyyou.I’mstandingbehindyou.Iam100percentbehindyou.I’mwithyou.I’monyourside.I’vegotyourback.(informal)You’vegotmysupport.You’vegotmybacking.You’vegotmyvote.Youcancountonme.Youcanleanonme.Youcantrustme.Youcanputyourtrustinme.

Youcanputyourtrustinme.Youcanputyourfaithinme.

66Offeringhelptosomeone

Ifthere’sanythingIcandotohelp,pleaseletmeknow.Letmeknowifthere’sanythingIcando.I’mhereifyouneedme.I’mhereforyou.Ifyouneedme,call.I’llalwaysbethereforyou.I’llgotobatforyou.

togotobatforyou=tosupportyouI’lltaketherap.(slang)therap=theblame

67Expressingtrustinsomeone

Ihavefaithinyou.Ihavetheutmostfaithinyou.Ihavecompletefaithinyou.Itrustyoucompletely.Itrustyouimplicitly.Ihavefaithinyou.Ihaveconfidenceinyou.

68Expressingencouragement

Goon;youcandoit!Justonemore.Justalittleharder.Hanginthere.Stickwithit.Stayatit.Goforit.Giveitatry.Giveitashot.

ashot=atryGiveityourbestshot.Giveityourbest.Keepatit.Keepyournosetothegrindstone.(idiomatic)=Keepbentoveryourwork.=

Keepworkinghard.Hanginthere.(informal)Hangtough.(slang)Stickitout.(informal)

69Encouragingsomeonetotrysomething

Haveagoatit.

ago=atryTakeashotatit.(informal)ashot=atryTakeastabatit.(informal)astab=atry

Takeacrackatit.(informal)acrack=atryHaveacrackatit.Takeawhackatit.(informal)awhack=atryComeon.(informal)Itwon’thurtyoutotryit.Everybody’sdoingit.Everyoneelseisdoingit.It’salltherage.

therage=thecurrentfadTryyourluck.Seewhatyoucando.Nothingventured,nothinggained.(cliché)Goon.Getgoing.Getgoingalready.Getmoving.Nopain,nogain.(cliché)Getamoveon.(informal)Getcracking.(slang)

Getonthestick.(slang)Gettheleadout.(slang)Getoffyourass.(mildlyvulgar)

70Encouragingsomeonetostopstallinganddosomething

Let’sseesomeaction.(informal)It’snowornever.Takenoprisoners!(informal)Fishorcutbait!(idiomatic)Knockyourselfout.

(idiomatic)=Tryreallyhard.;Workashardasyoucan.Goforbroke.(informal)

=Riskeverything.Iexpecttoseesomeresultssoon.Areyoujustgoingtostandthereallday?Areyoujustgoingtositthere?Aren’tyougoingtodoanything?Areyoujustgoingtosittherelikeabumponalog?(informal)abumponalog

=amotionlessobjectYou’relettingtheworldpassyouby.

71Expressingdissatisfactionwithsomeone’sefforts

Thatwon’tdo.Thatwon’tdoit.

Thatwon’tdoit.Thatdoesn’tcutit.(idiomatic)tocutit=todowhatisneededThatdoesn’tcutthemustard.(idiomatic)tocutthemustard=tomeasureupto

expectationsThatdoesn’tmakethegrade.

tomakethegrade=toqualifyIsthatit?It’snotuptosnuff.Isthatall?Youcallthatfinished?Oncemorewithfeeling.(cliché)

72Askingsomeonetowait

Wait.Waitamoment.Waitaminute.Waitasec(ond).Waitonemoment.Waitoneminute.Waitonesec(ond).Waititout.Waityourturn.

Justamoment.Justaminute.Justasec(ond).Justonemoment.Justoneminute.Justonesec(ond).Holdyourhorses.(idiomatic)=Waitabit.Keepyourpantson.(informal)=Waitabit.Keepyourshirton.(informal)=Waitabit.

73Encouragingsomeonetobepatientandtakethingsslowly

Takethingsastheycome.Takeitasitcomes.Takeitonedayatatime.Takethingsonedayatatime.Takeonedayatatime.Timewilltell.(cliché)=Wewillknowmoreintime.Romewasn’tbuiltinaday.(cliché)=Bigprojectsrequirealotoftime.Awatchedpotneverboils.(cliché)=Payingconstantattentiontosomething

youarewaitingforwillmakethewaitseemendless.Goodthingscometohimwhowaits.(cliché)Onestepatatime.

Onedayatatime.Goodthingscometothosewhowait.(cliché)Patienceisavirtue.(cliché)In

goodtime.Allingoodtime.Everythinginitstime.

There’satimeforeverything.Itwillworkoutintheend.Everythingwillcometogether.Everythingwillfalltogether.Everythingwillfallintoplace.Inthelongrun,everythingwillbeOK.(informal)Inthelonghaul,itwillall

workout.Everythingwillworkitselfout.Iamconfidentitwillallworkout.Itain’tovertillit’sover.(informal)Itain’tovertillthefatladysings.(cliché)

=Theoperaisnotoveruntiltheoverweightoperasingerhasdonehersolo.=Theeventwillnotconcludeuntileverythingthatwasplannedtohappenhashappened.

74Encouragingsomeonetobeprudent—clichés

Don’tjumpthegun.

Don’tjumpthegun.tojumpthegun=tostartaracebeforethestartinggunisfired=todosomethingtooearly

Don’tgooffhalf-cocked.half-cocked=ill-prepared

Don’tgochompingatthebit.chomp=tobite(aswithaneagerhorse)

Don’tputthecartbeforethehorse.Don’tcountyourchickensbeforetheyhatch.

=Don’tbaseyourplansonsomethingthathasn’tdevelopedyet.Don’tcrossthatbridgetillyoucometoit.

=Wewilldealwiththatwhenthetimecomes.We’llcrossthatbridgewhenwecometoit.Don’tgetaheadofyourself.

75Givingadvicetosomeonewhoselifeistoobusy

Youcan’tpleaseeverybody.(cliché)Youcan’tbeallthingstoallpeople.(cliché)You’vegotyourfingersintoomanypies.(idiomatic)You’vegotyourironsintoomanyfires.(idiomatic)You’reburningthecandleatbothends.(cliché)You’retakingtoomanythingson.

You’retakingontoomuch.You’redoingtoomuch.You’retryingtodotoomuch.You’reovercommitted.You’reoverdoingit.You’recarryingtheworldonyourshoulders.Youneedtosetyourpriorities.

76Givinginstructionstosomeoneyou’velentsomethingto

Takecareofit.Takegoodcareofit.I’mtrustingyoutotakegoodcareofit.Keepaneyeonit.Guarditwithyourlife.Don’tletitoutofyoursight.Iwantthisback.Iwantitbackinonepiece.

inonepiece=unbroken;unharmedBringitbackinonepiece.

77Introducingasecret

Justbetweenyouandme...Justbetweenyou,me,andthelamppost...Thisisbetweenyou,me,andthebedpost.Thisisbetweenyou,me,andthefourwalls.I’mtellingyouthisinconfidence.I’mtellingyouthisinstrictcon?dence.I’mtellingyouthisinstrictestconfidence.

I’mtellingyouthisinstrictestconfidence.Canyoukeepasecret?Don’trepeatthis,but...Don’tletthisgetaround,but...Couldyoukeepasecret?Confidentially...

78Instructionsaboutkeepingasecret

Betterkeepquietaboutit.Betterkeepstillaboutit.Keepittoyourself.Don’tbreatheawordofthistoanyone.Don’tbreatheawordofit.Don’tletitoutofthisroom.

it=thesecretDon’tletthisgoanyfurther.Don’ttellasoul.

asoul=apersonMum’stheword.

mum=awordreferringtoaclosedmouth

It’sontheQT.(slang)QT=quiet

Playdumb.Thisistopsecret.Thisisforyoureyesonly.Thisisforyourearsonly.Don’tsayItoldyou.Don’tsaywhotoldyou.Thisisofftherecord.

offtherecord=nottobereportedorquotedThisisnotfortherecord.Thisisnottobequoted.Thisisnotforpublicknowledge.Thisisnotpublicknowledge.Thisisnotforpublication.

79Promisingtokeepasecret

Iwon’ttellasoul.asoul=aperson

Mylipsaresealed.(cliché)Itwon’tleavethisroom.Wildhorsescouldn’tdragitoutofme.(cliché)I’lltakeittomygrave.

=I’lldiewithouttellingthesecrettoanyone.

80Forgetfulness

WherewasI?=WhatwasIsaying?

WhatwasIsaying?Whatwerewetalkingabout?Idon’tremember.Ihaveamindlikeasieve.

asieve=astrainerorcolanderI’malittleabsentminded.

absentminded=forgetfulI’dlosemyheadifitweren’tattached.(informal)I’velostmytrainofthought.

trainofthought=sequenceofthoughtsIt’satthetipofmytongue.

=Itisaboutreadytobesaid.It’sonthetipofmytongue.It’sslippedmymind.Thethoughtescapesme.It’sleftmyhead.Whatwasyournameagain?Whatdidyoujustsay?

Itwentinoneearandouttheother.(cliché)Arewesupposedtobesomeplacerightnow?

81Whenyouareintrouble

I’mintrouble.I’minbigtrouble.I’mindeeptrouble.I’mindeep.I’minovermyhead.I’minwayovermyhead.I’mbehindtheeightball.(idiomatic)=I’mintroublewithsomeone.Myassisinasling.(mildlyvulgar)inasling=injured=atriskMyassisontheline.(mildlyvulgar)ontheline=atriskMyneckisontheline.Myjobisontheline.Myreputationisontheline.Myreputationisatstake.

atstake=atrisk

82Whensomeoneisintrouble

Yourgooseiscooked.(idiomatic)=Youareintrouble.You’vereallyscrewedup.(informal)You’vedoneitnow.Nowyou’vedoneit.You’vereallydoneitthistime.You’reinforit.You’regonnagetit.(informal)Howcouldyoudosomethingsostupid?Whatkindofmessdidyougetyourselfinto?That’sanotherfinemessyou’vegottenusinto.(informal)Howareyougoing

todigyourselfoutofthisone?Howareyougoingtogetoutofthisone?You’vemadeyourbed;nowlieinit.

=Youhavecreatedthissituation,soyoumustendureit.You’reupthecreekwithoutapaddle.(informal)You’reupacreek.(informal)

You’reupthecreek.(informal)

83Whenyouareoutofmoney

I’mbroke.broke=withoutanymoney

I’mdeadbroke.I’mflatbroke.I’mflatterthanapancake.(informal)flatterthanapancake=asflatbrokeas

ispossibleIdon’thaveadollartomyname.

tomyname=inmyownershipIdon’thaveapennytomyname.Idon’thaveacenttomyname.Idon’thavearedcent.(informal)redcent=acopperpennyI’mbusted.(slang)

busted=withoutanymoneyI’maspoorasachurchmouse.(idiomatic)Mypocketsareempty.Ihaveemptypockets.AllIhaveistheshirtonmyback.

theshirtonmyback=theclothesthatyouseemeinI’vegotnothingbuttheshirtonmyback.AllIhaveismygoodname.

mygoodname=myreputationIdon’tknowwheremynextmealiscomingfrom.Mysavingsarewipedout.I’velosteverything.I’mbankrupt.

84Whensomeoneisindebt

I’minthered.red=redink=indebtedness

She’sinoverherhead(indebt).(idiomatic)I’muptomyearsindebt.(idiomatic)Bill’swritingrubberchecks.arubbercheck=abadcheck(thatbouncesbackfromthebankbecausethereisnomoneytopayit)

I’mborrowingfromPetertopayPaul.(idiomatic)I’mrobbingPetertopayPaul.(idiomatic)

85Expressingstressoranxiety

I’mgoingnuts.(slang)nuts=crazy

I’mgoingcrazy.

I’mlosingmymind.I’mlosingmymarbles.(informal)losingmymarbles=losingmyintellect

I’mfreakingout.(slang)I’mspazzingout.(slang)I’mmadattheworld.Ineedabreak.Ineedsomesleep.I’mgoingtoexplode.Myheadisgoingtoexplode.Everythingisgettingonmynerves.Ican’ttakeitanymore.Ican’ttakeanotherproblem.Ican’tdealwiththisanymore.I’monpinsandneedles.(idiomatic)onpinsandneedles=inanxious

anticipationI’montenterhooks.

tenterhooks=atypeofsharpnailusedforfasteningfabricI’mabundleofnerves.I’vegotbutterfliesinmystomach.(idiomatic)=Mystomachisfeelinglikeitis

fluttering.I’mcomingapartattheseams.I’mfallingapartattheseams.

86Whenyouareoverworkedanddoingtoomuch

I’mburningthecandleatbothends.(cliché)Iscarcelyhavetimetobreathe.Ihavenotimetocallmyown.

87Whensomeoneisanxiousandunderstress

Calmdown.Simmerdown.Controlyourself.(informal)Don’tgointohysterics.Don’tbesuchaworrywart.

aworrywart=apersonwhoworriesalotDon’tworryyourselfsick.Don’tlosesleepoverit.Don’tletitgettoyou.Don’ttroubleyourself.You’llsendyourselftoanearlygrave.

anearlygrave=anearlydeath

88Encouragingsomeonenottobeoffended—informal

Don’tgetallbentoutofshape!Don’tgetyournoseoutofjoint!Don’tbesosensitive!Learntorollwiththepunches.Ididn’tmeananyharm.

89Encouragingsomeonenottobeexcited

Pullyourselftogether.Don’tgetexcited.Don’tgetallexcited.Don’tgetallworkedup.Don’tblowyourstack.(slang)toblowyourstack=toloseyourtemper;togo

crazyDon’tloseyourcool.(slang)Don’tblowyourcool.(slang)Don’tblowa

gasket.(slang)Don’tgointohysterics.Don’tgointohystericsonme.Don’tflyoffthehandle.Don’tpopyourcork.(slang)topopyourcork=togocrazyDon’tworkyourselfintoatizzy.(informal)atizzy=adizzy,confusedstateDon’trunaroundlikeachickenwithitsheadcutoff.(informal)Restrain

yourself.Wouldyourestrainyourself?Getagrip(onyourself).(informal)Wouldyougetagrip?(informal)

90Encouragingsomeonetorelax

Mellowout.(slang)=Adoptacalmattitude.

Chillout.(slang)Chill.(slang)Keepcool.(slang)

Coolit.(slang)Coolyourjets.(slang)Cooloff.(informal)Cooldown.(informal)Slowdown.Simmerdown.Calmdown.Becalm.Calmyourself.Relax.Dealwithit.(informal)Holdyourhorses.(cliché)Keepyourshirton.

(informal)Keepyourpantson.(informal)Takeadeepbreath.Takeiteasy.Takeitslow.

Takeitslow.Takeatranquilizer!(informal)Takeapill!(informal)

91Encouragingsomeonetobelessaggressive—informal

Don’thaveacow!Don’thaveaconniptionfit.Don’tthrowafit.Don’thaveafit.Giveitabreak.Giveitarest.Yougotantsinyourpants?

92Whensomeoneiscoldandunfeeling—informal

You’reascoldasice.You’reacoldfish.You’recold-blooded.You’vegotaheartofstone.You’vegotnoheart.You’reheartless.You’rethick-skinned.Haveyounoqualms?Haveyounoscruples?Haveyounoconscience?Haveyounothoughtforanyonebutyourself?Thinkbeforeyouspeak.Thinkbeforeyouact.Tryputtingyourselfinmyshoes.

=Thinkwhatitisliketobeinmysituation.

93Whattosaytoasmoker

Thisisanonsmokingarea.Thisisanonsmokingbuilding.You’llhavetostepoutside.Pleaseobservetheno-smokingsigns.(formal)Canyouputthatout?Pleaseputthatout.I’msorry,you’llhavetoputthatout.I’msorry,thesmokeisbotheringme.Haveyoueverthoughtofquitting?It’syourfuneral.(informal)Yousmokelikeachimney.(informal)

94Asmoker’sresponsetoanonsmoker’scomplaint

Mindyourownbusiness.Gotoanonsmokingarea.Ican’tquit.Itriedquitting.Ihavenointentionofquitting.Sorry.

95Questionsasmokermightask

Gotamatch?Yougotalighter?CanIbumalight?

tobum=tobegCanIbumacigaretteoffyou?CanIhaveadrag?

adrag=apuffofsmokeWhereisthesmokingroom?Wherecanyousmokearoundhere?DoyoumindifIsmoke?

Disputes

96Criticismofsomeonewithwhomyoudisagree

You’reclueless.(informal)You’rewithoutaclue.(informal)Youwouldn’tknowthetruthifitjumpedupandbityouonthenose.(jocular)Shedoesn’tknownothing.(informal)Youdon’tknowbeans.(informal)Youdon’tknowupfromdown.(informal)Youdon’tknowwhichendisup.(informal)Youdon’tknowyourassfromyourelbow.(vulgar)Youdon’tknowyourassfromaholeintheground.(vulgar)Youdon’tknowqualityfromaholeintheground.(informal)quality=art,value,truth,engines,etc.

Don’tyouknowanything?

Don’tyouknowanything?Howcanyoubesostupid?(informal)Getyourheadoutofthesand.

(idiomatic)Thatain’tthewayIheardit.(folksy)That’snotwhatIheard.Letmesetyoustraight.

97Callingsomeonecrazy

You’reoffyourrocker.(informal)You’reoutofyourmind.(informal)He’stwobricksshyofaload.(slang)You’reoutofyourtree.(slang)You’reoutofyourhead.(informal)She’soutofherskull.(informal)You’velostyourmarbles.(informal)You’recrazy.(informal)

You’renuts.(informal)Theycan’tbeserious.You’reafewcardsshyofafulldeck.(idiomatic)You’reafewcardsshortofa

deck.(idiomatic)Youaren’tplayingwithafulldeck.(idiomatic)You’reonesandwichshortofapicnic.(idiomatic)Yourfrontporchlightisout.

You’vegoneovertheedge.You’vegoneoffthedeepend.You’renuttyasafruitcake.(cliché)

98Questioningsomeone’ssanity

Areyoucrazy?

Ishenuts?(slang)nuts=crazy

Areyoupsychotic,orwhat?Areyououtofyourmind?Areyououtofyourhead?Areyououtofyourgourd?(informal)gourd=headAreyououtofyourskull?(informal)Areyououtofyourtree?(slang)

Areyououtofit?Haveyougonecrazy?Haveyougoneinsane?Haveyougonemad?Haveyougonestarkravingmad?Haveyougoneloco?(informal)loco(Spanish)=crazyHaveyougoneplumbloco?(informal)plumbloco=completelycrazyHaveyoulostyourmind?Haveyoulostyoursenses?Haveyoulostyourmarbles?Haveyouwiggedout?(slang)Haveyoucompletelyflippedout?(slang)Have

youflippedyourlid?(slang)Haveyoucompletelylostit?(informal)Haveyoucompletelylosttouchwithreality?

Haveyoutakenleaveofyoursenses?

Haveyoutakenleaveofyoursenses?Doyouhaveascrewloose?(slang)Whatplanetareyoufrom?Doyouhaverocksinyourhead?(informal)Doyouhavebatsinyourbelfry?

(slang)Aretherebatsinyourbelfry?(slang)Areyouplayingwithafulldeck?(slang)

99Askingaboutthealertnessofsomeone

Hello?(informal)Whatareyouthinking?What’syourdeal?(informal)What’syourproblem?(informal)What([kindof]

drugs)areyouon?(informal)Whathaveyoubeensmoking?(informal)Where’syourhead?(informal)What’swithyou?(informal)Areyouserious?

Whatplanetareyouon?(informal)EarthtoBill.(informal)

100Encouragingsomeonetobemoresensible

Getalife!(informal)Getreal!Snapoutofit.Getwiththeprogram.(informal)Comebacktoearth.(informal)

101Askingindisbeliefordisagreement

Truly?Really?Forreal?(informal)Nokidding?Nofooling?(informal)Nolie?(informal)Noway!(informal)Areyouserious?Areyouforreal?(informal)Areyoupullingmyleg?Areyoubullshittingme?(mildlyvulgar)You’renotmakingthisup,areyou?You’remakingthisup,aren’tyou?You’renottryingtopulloneoveronme,areyou?

102Whensomeonesayssomethingoutrageous

Unbelievable!Getoutoftown!You’rekidding!You’vegottobekidding!You’vegottobekiddingme!Stopit!(informal)Comeon!(informal)Getoutofhere!(informal)Ican’tbelieveit!Doyouexpectmetobelievethat?Thatblowsmymind.(informal)

DiscussionandResolution

103Askingforanexplanation

Whatdoyoumean?Whatareyousaying?Whatareyoutryingtogetat?Whatareyougettingat?Doyoumeantotellme?What’sthebottomline?Thisallboilsdowntowhat?(idiomatic)Howso?Sowhat’stheupshot?What’sthepoint?

104Encouraginganexplanation

Ididn’tgetthat.Ididn’thearyou.Cuttothechase.(idiomatic)

105Whenyoudonotunderstandsomeone

Idon’tseewhatyou’regettingat.Idon’tgetit.Idon’tfollowyou.Idon’tfollow.

Idon’tfollow.I’mnotsureIfollow.I’mnotsureIgetyourpoint.I’mnotsureIknowwhatyoumean.

106Whensomeonedoesnotunderstandyou

That’snotwhatImeant.That’snotwhatIsaid.Ididn’tmeanthat.Ididn’tsaythat.Isaidnosuchthing.Ididn’tmeantogiveyouthatimpression.Ididn’tmeantoimplythat.

107Criticizingsomeone’smisunderstanding

Listentome.Openyourears.(informal)Getthewaxoutofyourears.(informal)You’renot

listeningtowhatI’msaying.You’reonlyhearingwhatyouwanttohear.You’remissingthepoint.That’snotmypoint.That’snotthepointI’mtryingtomake.

That’snotthepointI’mtryingtomake.You’vegotitwrong.You’vegotitallwrong.You’vegotmewrong.You’vetwistedmywords.You’reputtingwordsinmymouth.You’requotingmeoutofcontext.You’retakingitoutofcontext.You’reblowingitoutofproportion.You’reblowingthisalloutofproportion.

108Attemptingtoputanendtoamisunderstanding

Letmerephrasethat.Letmeclarifythat.Allowmetoclarify.Letmemakemyselfclear.Letmemakemyselfperfectlyclear.

109Encouragingsomeonetobelieveyou

Honest.

Honestly.Truly.True.That’sthetruth.That’sthehonesttruth.That’sthehonest-to-goodnesstruth.Honesttogoodness.That’sthetruth,thewholetruth,andnothingbutthetruth.Crossmyheartandhopetodie.(juvenile)WouldIlie?WouldIlietoyou?WhywouldIlie?Iswear.Isweartoyou.IswearonastackofBibles.(mildoath)Iswearonmymother’sgrave.

(informal)IsweartoGod.(mildoath)MayGodstrikemedownifIamnottellingyouthetruth.)mildoath)That’sthegospeltruth.(informal)

110Askingtobetrusted

Takemywordforit.Youhavemyword.

Youhavemywordonthis.Igiveyoumyword.

Igiveyoumyword.Igiveyoumywordofhonor.Onmyhonor.Scout’shonor.(juvenile)Youcancountonit.Youcanbankonit.Youcantakeittothebank.Youbetterbelieveit.Youhadbetterbelieveit.Believeyoume.Trustme.Don’tbesuchadoubtingThomas.

111Statingthatsomethingissettled

It’scinched.It’slockedup.It’ssewnup.It’sasurething.It’sforsure.It’scertain.It’sinthebag.It’sadonedeal.It’sasgoodasdone.Nothingcangowrong.Whatcangowrong?All’swellthatendswell.(cliché)That’sthat.What’stogowrong?It’sgoingtohappen.There’snodoubtinmymind.There’snotadoubtinmymind.

112Claimingthatsomethingiseasytounderstand

It’sasplainasday.It’sasclearasday.

It’sasclearasday.It’sasplainasthenoseonyourface.(jocular)DoIneedtopaintyouapicture?

(informal)MustIpaintyouapicture?(informal)Thatgoeswithoutsaying.Anyfoolcanseeit.(informal)

113Showingdisbelief

Ifindthathardtobelieve.Unbelievable.Ifindthathardtoswallow.I’lltakethatwithagrainofsalt.(cliché)Iremainskeptical.I’llbelieveitwhenIseeit.Youcan’tfoolme.Youcan’tpullthewoolovermyeyes.Iwasn’tbornyesterday.

114Expressingignorance

Dunno.(informal)Idon’tknow.Idon’tknowandIdon’tcare.Idon’thaveaclue.Ihaven’taclue.I’mclueless.

Idon’thavethefaintestidea.Ihaven’tthefaintestidea.Ihaven’tthevaguestnotion.Idon’thavethefoggiestnotion.Haven’tthefoggiest.Beatsme.(informal)

Beatstheheckoutofme.(informal)Beatsthehelloutofme.(mildlyvulgar)Gotmebeat.(informal)

Yougotme(there).Gotmestumped.(informal)Gotme.HowwouldIknow?HowshouldIknow?HowthehellshouldIknow?(mildlyvulgar)LikeIwouldknow.(informal)

LikeIwouldknow?(informal)Igiveup.(informal)Searchme.(informal)Whoknows?Lordknows.(mildoath)Godonlyknows.(mildoath)

115Expressingreluctance

I’mafraidnot.‘Fraidnot.I’mafraidso.‘Fraidso.IfImust.(formal)Well,ifIhaveto.Well,ifyouinsist.Well,ifyoureallythinkso.Well,ifyoureallywantmeto.IguessIhavenochoiceinthematter.Itdoesn’tsoundlikeIhaveachoice.We’vegotnochoice.Wehavenoalternative.There’snoalternative.I’drathernot.I’dratherdie.I’dsoonerdie.Neverinathousandyears.Notinamillionyears.Overmydeadbody.(informal)

116Makingthebestofabadsituation

That’slife.That’sthewaylifeis.That’showitgoes.That’sthewayitgoes.That’sthewaytheballbounces.(cliché)That’sthewaythecookiecrumbles.

(cliché)Thingscouldbeworse.It’snotasbadasallthat.Lookonthebright(er)side.(cliché)Makethebestofit.Halfaloafisbetterthannone.(cliché)It’salwaysdarkestbeforedawn.(cliché)

Everycloudhasasilverlining.(cliché)Whenlifehandsyoulemons,makelemonade.(cliché)It’sthebestwecandounderthecircumstances.

Iwishwecoulddomore.Youdidthebestyoucould.Youdidthebestthatcouldbeexpected.YougetanAforeffort.Theimportantthingisthatyoutried.Winningisn’teverything.(cliché)Youcan’twinthemall.(cliché)It’snot

whetheryouwinorlose,it’showyouplaythegame.(cliché)Youmadeanobleeffort.

Truthisstrangerthanfiction.(cliché)Itwasjustoneofthosethings.(cliché)(Don’taskwhy;)itjustis.

Whyaskwhy?(informal)WhoamItoquestion?It’sforthebest.(cliché)It’sallforthebest.(cliché)WhenGodclosesadoor,

Heopensawindow.(cliché)Don’tletitgetyoudown.Keepyourchinup!(cliché)Chinup!Cheerup!Keepastiffupperlip.(cliché)Grinandbearit.(cliché)Grityourteeth.(cliché)

Takeitinstride.(cliché)Rollwiththepunches.(cliché)Acceptyourfate.You’vemadeyourbed;nowlieinit.(cliché)Ifatfirstyoudon’tsucceed,try,

tryagain.(cliché)Theimportantthingistolearnfromyourmistakes.Thethirdtime’sthecharm.(cliché)I’mbetweenarockandahardplace.

(cliché)I’mbetweenthedevilandthedeepbluesea.(cliché)I’mdamnedifIdoanddamnedifIdon’t.(mildlyvulgar)You’redamnedifyoudoanddamnedifyoudon’t.(mildlyvulgar)

117Blamingsomethingonfateordestiny

Itwasdestiny.Itwasdestinedtohappen.It’syourfate.Itwasfatedtohappen.It’sfate.It’sinthecards.

It’sinthecards.It’sinthestars.It’sthecruelhandoffate.That’skarma.It’sGod’swill.It’sallinGod’splan.Itwasmeanttobe.Quesera,sera.(Spanish)=Whateverwillbe,willbe.Whatwillbe,willbe.Whateverwillbe,willbe.Don’tfightit.Youcan’tfightit.Youcan’tfightCityHall.There’snothingyoucandoaboutit.Youhavetoplaythehandlifedealsyou.You’vegottoplaythehandyou’redealt.

118Knowingsomethingafterthefact

Ishouldhaveknown.Ishouldhaveknownbetter.IfI(only)knewthenwhatIknownow...IfI(just)knewthenwhatIknownow...IfI’dknownthenwhatIknownow...IfonlyIcouldturnbackthehandsoftime.IfIcouldonlyturnbacktheclock.It’seasytobewiseaftertheevent.That’seasytosayinhindsight.Hindsightis20/20.

20/20=goodvisionineacheyeattwentyfeet=hindsight

119Expressingindifference

Idon’tcare.Icouldn’tcareless.Icouldcareless.(informal)Idon’tgiveadamn.(mildlyvulgar)LikeIgivea

damn.(mildlyvulgar)Itdoesn’tmattertome.Reallydoesn’tmattertome.Makesnodifferencetome.Makesmenodifference.(informal)Makesmenonevermind.(folksy)Makes

nonevermindtome.(folksy)Eitherway.Whichever.Whatever.Sixofone,half(a)dozenoftheother.(informal)Uptoyou.

Whateveryouprefer.It’snotimportant.Iguessso.Iguess.

POLITEENCOUNTERS

Prefaces

120Aprefacetoaskingaquestion

Excuseme...Pardonme...Excusemeforasking...Ifyoudon’tmindmyasking...It’snoneofmybusiness,but...

121Aprefacetomakingastatement—formal

IfImaysayso...IfImaybesobold...Ifit’sokaywithyou...Ifitpleasesyou...Pleasebeadvisedthat...Foryourinformation...

Itisapleasuretoinformyouthat...Weregrettoinformyouthat...Asyouareaware...Asyouarenodoubtaware...Asyouknow...Asyoumightknow...Asyoumayalreadyknow...

122Aprefacetomakingastatement—informal

(Tomakea)longstoryshort...WhatIwouldliketosayis...ButIjustwantedtosay...Bytheway...Ifyouaskme...Notthatit’sanyofmybusiness...

123Aprefacetomakingastatement—verypolite

Asyourequested...Foryourconvenience...Weapologizefortheinconvenience...

Weapologizefortheinconvenience...Withyoursafetyinmind...Withyourcomfortinmind...

CommunicationBarriers

124Askingifsomeonespeaksaparticularlanguage

DoyouspeakFrench?French=Spanish,German,Russian,Italian,etc.

DoyouknowanyFrench?DoyouspeakanyFrench?

125Whenyoudonotspeakaparticularlanguage

I’msorry.Idon’tunderstand.I’msorry.Idon’tspeakFrench.

French=Spanish,German,Russian,Italian,etc.I’msorry.MyFrenchisn’tverygood.IonlyspeakalittleFrench.

126Whenyoudonotunderstandwhatwassaid

Pardonme?Excuseme?

Again,(please).I’msorry?I’msorry.Imissedthat.

missedthat=failedtohearwhatwassaidIdidn’tquitegetthat.

togetthat=tohearorunderstandwhatwassaidWhatdidyousay?I’msorry.What?What?Whatwasthat?Comeagain.(folksy)Huh?(informalorrude)Couldyoupleaserepeatyourself?Couldyoupleaserepeatthat?

127Whenyoudonotunderstandwhataforeignvisitorhassaid

Idon’tunderstandyou.Ican’tunderstandyou.Ican’thearyou.Pleasespeakmoreslowly.Couldyoupleasespeakslower?Couldyoupleasespeaklouder?Couldyouwriteitdown,please?Pleasewriteitout.Couldyouspellthat?

TellingTime

128Askingthetimeofday

Whattimeisit?Couldyoutellmewhattimeitis?Couldyoupleasetellmethetime?Couldyougivemethetime?Doyouknowwhattimeitis?Doyouknowthetime?Doyouhappentohavethetime?Doyouhavethecorrecttime?Doyouhavethetime?CouldIbotheryouforthetime?

129Thetimeis12:00o’clock

It’stwelvenoon.It’snoon.It’stwelvemidnight.It’smidnight.

130Thetimeisonthehour

It’sthree.It’sthreeo’clock.

It’sthreeo’clock.It’sthreeo’clocksharp.It’sthreeo’clockonthedot.It’sthreeo’clockonthenose.(informal)It’sexactlythreeo’clock.

131Thetimeisapproximate

It’salmostthree.It’snotquitethree.It’sjustafterthree.

132Thetimeistenminutespastthehour

It’stenafterthree.It’stenafter.It’stenminutesafterthree.It’stenpastthree.It’stenpast.

133Thetimeisfifteenorthirtyminutespastthehour

It’sthreefifteen.It’saquarterpastthree.

It’sthreethirty.It’shalfpastthree.It’shalfpast.

134Thetimeisfortyminutespastthehour

It’sthreeforty.It’stwentyoffour.It’stwentytofour.It’stwentytillfour.It’stwentyminutestillfour.

135Thetimeisforty-fiveminutespastthehour

It’sthreeforty-five.It’squartertofour.It’saquarteroffour.It’squarterto.It’saquarterof.It’saquartertill.It’saquartertillfour.

136Thetimeisfiftyminutespastthehour

It’stenminutestofour.It’stentofour.It’stento.It’stenof.It’stentill.

137Whenatimepieceisnotaccurate

Isthisclockright?Ithinkmywatchneedsanewbattery.Thisclockisfast.Thisclockisslow.Mywatchisrunningfast.Mywatchhasbeenrunningslow.

GeneralPleasantries

138Whenyourmovingaboutmaybothersomeone

Excuseme.Pardonme.Comingthrough.Ibegyourpardon.CouldIgetby,please?Watchyourfeet!

139Offeringtoletsomeoneenterinfrontofyou

Afteryou.Ladiesfirst.Youfirst.Agebeforebeauty.(jocularcliché)Bemyguest.

140Apologizingtosomeoneyouhavebothered

I’msorry.Forgiveme.Sorrytobeabother.Sorrytobeapest.Sorryfortheinconvenience.Pleaseforgivetheinconvenience.

141Returningsomeone’sgoodwishes

Sametoyou.Likewise.Likewise,I’msure.(cliché)Thankyou.

142Agreeingtosomething—polite

Ofcourse.

Ofcourse.Behappyto.Fine.Great.Super.(slang)

143Explainingthatyouwillattendtosomeonesoon

I’llbethereinjustamoment.Bethereinaminute.I’llberightwithyou.I’llbewithyouinamoment.

144Askingforpermissiontoleaveaplace—polite

CouldIbeexcused?MayIbeexcused?MightIbeexcused?(formal)

145Sayinggood-bye—polite

Goodafternoon.Goodevening.Goodmorning.Goodday.Goodnight.Haveaniceday.Good-bye.Bye.Bye-bye.Farewell.Good-byeuntillater.Good-byeuntilnexttime.Good-byefornow.

146Sayinggood-bye—informal

Solong.Ta-ta.Farewell.Cheerio.Seeyoulater.Seeyoulater,alligator.(slang)Later,gator.(slang)Later.I’lltrytocatchyoulater.I’llcatchyoulater.Catchyoulater.Seeyou.Seeya.Seeyouaround.Takecare.

BusinessPleasantries

147Announcingyourarrivalforanappointment

Mr.SmithtoseeDr.Jones.I’mheretoseeMrs.Hodges.CouldyoupleasetellMr.SmithI’mhere?

CouldyoupleasetellMr.SmithI’mhere?IhaveanappointmentwithMrs.Jones.

148Beingassertive—polite

I’dlikemychecknow,please.I’dlikemypaymentnow,please.No,Idon’tthinkso.

=Itotallyrejectyourassertion.Excuseme?

=DidyoureallysaywhatIthinkyousaid?MayIhaveyourname,please?I’dliketospeaktothemanager.I’dliketospeaktoyoursupervisor.Iintendtostandmyground.I’mnotleavinguntilI’msatisfied.

ApologizingandTakingResponsibility

149Sincereapologies

Sorry.Sosorry.I’m(so)verysorry.I’m(so)sorry.I’mreallysorry.I’mterriblysorry.I’msincerelysorry.Iapologize.Myapologies.(formal)Mysincereapologies.(formal)Youhavemysincereapology.(formal)Please

acceptmyapology.Pleaseacceptmyapologies.Pleaseacceptmyheartfeltapology.Ioffermymostsincereapology.(formal)

150Offeringaverypoliteapology

YoucannotbelievehowsorryIam.WordscannotdescribehowsorryIam.Iamjustmortified.Pleasesendmethebill,andI’lltakecareofit.

151Acceptingtheblameforsomething

It’smyfault.It’sallmyfault.I’mfullyresponsible.Itakefullresponsibility.Itaketheblame.Iblamenoonebutmyself.Meaculpa.(Latin)=Iamguilty.Maximaculpa.(Latin)

=Iamcompletelyguilty.

152Admittingyourerrors

Mymistake.Ishouldn’thavesaidthat.Ishouldn’thavedonethat.Ishouldhaveaskedyoufirst.Ididn’tmeanit.Ihonestlydidn’tmeanit.

Ididn’tmeanit,honest.Ididn’tmeantodoit.Ididn’tmeantodothat.Ididn’tmeantosaythat.Ididn’tmeanitthatway.Ididn’tintenditthatway.Idon’tknowhowthatcouldhavehappened.

153Promisingnevertorepeataparticularmistake

Itwon’thappenagain.Itwillneverhappenagain.I’llsee(toit)thatitneverhappensagain.Iwon’tdoitagain.

154Offeringtomakeamends

HowcanImakeituptoyou?HowcanIevermakeituptoyou?IsthereanythingIcando(tomakeituptoyou)?IpromiseI’llmakeituptoyou.

155Askingforforgiveness

Pleaseforgiveme.Canyouforgiveme?Canyoueverforgiveme?Canyoufinditinyourhearttoforgiveme?Howcanyoueverforgiveme?Iaskyourforgiveness.Ibegyourforgiveness.(formal)Ithrowmyselfuponyourmercy.(formal)I

askforyourmercy.(formal)

Forgiving

156Simpleforgiveness

Iforgiveyou.You’reforgiven.Allisforgiven.That’sallright.It’sokay.(informal)That’sokay.(informal)Don’tworryaboutit.Thinkonitnomore.(formal)Thinkofitnomore.(formal)Thinknomoreof

it.(formal)Don’tgiveitanotherthought.Toerrishuman,toforgivedivine.(cliché)

157Forgiveness—informal

Forgetit.Forgetaboutit.Forgiveandforget.Don’tworryaboutit.Writeitoff.I’llletyouoffthistime.I’llletitslidethistime.

I’llletitslidethistime.I’llgiveyouanotherchance.I’llturntheothercheek.Iwon’tholditagainstyou.

158Encouragingsomeonetoendadispute

Let’sdropthesubject.Let’sburythehatchet.(idiomatic)Let’sbringthismattertoaclose.It’stimetokissandmakeup.(cliché)

ShowingGratitude

159Saying“thankyou”—formal

Thankyou.Thankyouverymuch.Thankyousomuch.Thankyouforyourhelp.Thankyouforallyou’vedone.Thankyouforeverything.Youhavemythanks.

Youhavemythanks.Youhavemygratitude.I’mdeeplygrateful.I’minyourdebt.I’mindebtedtoyou.Thankseversomuch.Thanksverymuch.

160Saying“thankyou”—informal

Thanks.Thanksmuch.Thanksforeverything.Thankssomuch.Thanksalot.Thanksamillion.Thanksabunch.Thanksabundle.Thanksheaps.Ioweyouone.Ioweyoubig.Ioweyoubig-time.

ReturningThanks

161Acknowledgingsomeone’sthanks—formal

You’rewelcome.You’remostwelcome.You’reentirelywelcome.Mypleasure.Itwasmypleasure.Thepleasurewasmine.Thepleasurewasallmine.Thepleasurewasentirelymine.

162Acknowledgingsomeone’sthanks—informal

Itwasnothing.

Itwasnothing.Don’tmentionit.Noproblem.Nosweat.(slang)Anytime.Notrouble.Noskinoffmynose.Noskinoffmyteeth.Noskinoffmyback.

SpecialOccasions

163Seeinganewbaby

Oh,isn’thecute!Isn’thethesweetestthing!Oh,isn’tshedarling!She’sbeautiful.She’ssobig!Whatanadorablebaby!Hiseyesarejustlikehisfather’s.

Hiseyesarejustlikehisfather’s.Hernoselooksjustlikehermother’s.Shehasherfather’seyes.He’sgothismother’snose.

164Askingaboutanewbaby

Howmuchdoesheweigh?Washeearly?Wasshelate?What’shisname?Whoisshenamedafter?Hashebeensleepingwell?Isshesleepingthroughthenight?Doeshesleepthroughthenightyet?CanIholdher?MayIholdhim?

165Congratulatingsomeonefordoingagoodjob

Congratulations!Goodgoing!Goodjob!Goodwork!Bravo!

166Wishingsomeonewell

HappyBirthday!...andmany(many)more!Manyhappyreturns!HappyAnniversary!Congratulations!Goodluck!Bestwishes!Allourbest!Bonvoyage!(French)

(saidwhensomeoneisleavingonaseavoyage)Haveagoodtime!Haveagoodtrip!

167Expressingsympathyatafuneralorwake

I’msorry.I’msosorry.I’msosorryforyourloss.I’mverysorry.Youhavemysympathy.Youhavemydeepestsympathy.(formal)Pleaseacceptmysympathy.(formal)

Myheartgoesouttoyou.

Ishareyoursorrow.Ishareyourpain.Howareyoudoing?Ifyouneedanything,pleaseletusknow.Ifthere’sanythingwecandoforyou,pleaseletusknow.Ourthoughtsarewithyou.You’reinourprayers.We’llkeepyouinourprayers.

IMPOLITEENCOUNTERS

DealingwithUnpleasantness

168Whensomeoneisconceitedorvain

You’resovain.You’retoobigforyourbritches.(informal)britches=trousersYou’regettingalittlebigforyourbritches.(informal)Aren’tyougettinga

littlebigforyourbritches?(informal)You’resofullofyourself.(idiomatic)Youthinkyou’reprettysmart,don’tyou?(informal)Youthinkyou’resosmart.(informal)Youthinkyou’resobig.(informal)Youthinkyou’resuchabigshot.(informal)abigshot=animportantperson

Youlovethesoundofyourownvoice.(informal)Youjustliketohearyourselftalk.(informal)Youtalkjusttohearyourselfspeak.(informal)Youthinktheworldrevolvesaroundyou.

Theworlddoesn’trevolvearoundyou.Youthinkyou’rethecenteroftheuniverse.You’reallwrappedupinyourself.Allyouthinkaboutisyourself.Didyoueverstoptothinkaboutanyoneelse?

169Whensomeoneisoverbearing

Whodiedandmadeyouking?(informal)WhodiedandmadeyouPope?(informal)WhodiedandmadeyouGod?(informal)Smarty.(informal)

Smart-ass.(mildlyvulgar)Smartypants.(slang)Know-it-all.(informal)Getoffyourhighhorse.(informal)=Belessarrogant.Whodoyouthinkyouare?Youthinkyou’resosmart?(informal)Youandwhoelse?(informal)Youand

whatarmy?(slang)Whatmakesyousospecial?(informal)Don’tbreakyourarmpattingyourselfontheback.(idiomatic)Youthinkyou’resohot.(informal)hot=important

Youthinkyou’resuchhotstuff.(informal)hotstuff=someoneorsomethingimportant

170Whensomeonehasbeeninsolentorrude—shockedresponse

Thenerveofyou!nerve=impudence;brashness

Whatnerveyouhave!Youhavealotofnerve!You’vegotalotofnerve!Thenerve!Youhavealotofgall!

gall=nerveThegall!Theveryidea!Howdareyou!Why,Inever!Howcouldyousaysuchathing?Howcouldyoudosuchathing?Ibegyourpardon!

171Whensomeonehasbeeninsolentorrude—firmresponse

Don’tgetsmartwithme!Don’tgetsassywithme.(folksy)sassy=insolentDon’tsassme.(folksy)Don’ttalkbacktome.Don’tgivemeanyofyourlip.(informal)lip=insolenttalkDon’tgetuppityonme.(folksy)uppity=arrogantDon’tgetuppitywithme.(folksy)Don’tgetcocky.(informal)cocky=insolentDon’tgetfresh.(informal)fresh=insolent;impudentDon’tgetyournoseoutofjoint.(informal)Don’toverstepyourbounds.Watchyourself.Watchit.(informal)Watchout.(informal)

172Whensomeonehasbeeninsolentorrude—ruderesponse

Oh,asmartaleck?(informal)asmartaleck=aninsolentpersonOh,awiseguy?(slang)

awiseguy=asmartaleckOh,awiseacre?(slang)

awiseacre=asmartaleck

Oh,asmart-ass?(mildlyvulgar)asmart-ass=asmartaleckOh,asmartmouth?(slang)asmartmouth=animpudent-talkingsmartaleckWiseguy.(slang)Wiseacre.(slang)Smartaleck.(informal)Smart-ass.(mildlyvulgar)Wipethatgrinoffyourface.(informal)Wipethat

smirkoffyourface.(informal)

173Encouragingatimidperson

Showalittleresolve.Showsomecourage.Showsomespine.Don’tbesospineless.Don’tbesuchachicken-shit.(taboo)achicken-shit=acowardDon’tbesuchalily-liver.(informal)alily-liver=acoward

174Insultingacoward

Chicken!(slang)=Coward!

Wimp!(slang)=Coward!

Wuss!(slang)=Coward!

Fraidy-cat!(juvenile)afraidy-cat=acoward

Scaredy-cat!(juvenile)ascaredy-cat=acoward

You’reyellow.(informal)yellow=cowardlyYouyellow-belliedsapsucker.(informal)=Youcoward.Youareagutlesswonder.(slang)gutless=cowardlyYou’reafraidofyourownshadow.(informal)Areyouamanoramouse?

(cliché)Catgotyourtongue?(cliché)=Areyouafraidorunabletospeak?Gotcoldfeet?

=Areyoutoofrightenedtoact?Youreallywimpedout.(slang)wimpedout=withdrewinacowardlyfashionYoureallychickenedout.(slang)chickenedout=withdrewinacowardly

fashionLoseyournerve?

Loseyournerve?=Didyouloseyourresolve?

175Whensomeonearguestoomuch

Don’tcontradictme.Youseeeverythinginblackandwhite.

inblackandwhite=insimpleyes-notermsIfIsaiditwasblack,you’dsayitwaswhite.That’sasdifferentasdayandnight.It’s(thedifferencebetween)applesandoranges.You’rejustbeingcontrary.You’rejustdisagreeingtodisagree.You’rejustdisagreeingforthesakeofdisagreeing.You’rejustplayingthedevil’sadvocate.You’rejustarguingforthesakeofarguing.Youjustliketohearyourselftalk.

176Whensomeoneisbeingannoying

Wouldyoustopthat?Couldyoupleasestopdoingthat?

Couldyoupleasestopdoingthat?Youarereallytryingmypatience.That’sreallyannoying.That’sreallyirritating.That’sdrivingmenuts!(slang)That’smakingmecrazy!(informal)That’s

reallybothersome.That’sreallybotheringme.That’sreallybuggingme.(slang)bugging=botheringThat’sgettingonmynerves.(idiomatic)gettingonmynerves=annoyingmeThat’sgratingonmynerves.

gratingonmynerves=irritatingme

177Invitinganannoyingpersontoleave

Scram!(slang)=Getout!;Goaway!

Getlost.(slang)Goblow.(slang)Gofryanegg.(slang)Gosuckalemon.(slang)Gotakealongwalkoffashortpier.(informal)Gotakealongwalkonashort

pier.(informal)Makeyourselfscarce.(slang)Goaway!Goclimbatree!(slang)Goflyakite!(slang)

Gojumpinthelake!(informal)(Go)jumpoffacliff.(informal)Goplayintraffic!(informal)Buzzoff!(slang)Bugoff!(slang)

Scat!(slang)Scram!(slang)Shoo!(informal)Takeahike!(slang)Makelikeatreeandleave.(informal)Getlost!(slang)Getoutofhere!(informal)Getoutofmyface!(slang)Goblow.(slang)Goplayintraffic.(informal)

178Whensomeoneisveryannoyingorhurtful

Whydon’tyourubalittlesaltinthewound?Whydon’tyoutwisttheknifeinmyback?You’regoingtobethedeathofmeyet.You’dtrythepatienceofasaint.Youreallygetmygoat.

togetmygoat=toannoymeYou’redrivingmeupawall.You’redrivingmeupthewall.Youreallyknowwhatbuttonstopush.

whatbuttonstopush=howtomakemeangryYou’repushingmybuttons.

179Gettingsomeonetostopdoingsomething

Mustyou(dothat)?Mustyoucontinuetodothat?Stopbotheringme.Stoppesteringme.Quitpesteringme.Giveitarest.(slang)

it=yourmouth

Knockitoff!(slang)Cutitout!(slang)Enough,already!(informal)

180Whensomeoneismakingyouangry—rude

I’mreallyupsetwithyourightnow.Getalife!(slang)Getaclue!(slang)You’repissingmeoff.(mildlyvulgar)I’mreallygettingP.O.’d.(mildlyvulgar)

P.O.’d=pissedoff=angry

181Askingtobeleftalone

Letmebe.Letmealone.Leavemebe.Pleasegoaway.Pleaseleavemealone.I’maskingyoutoleavemealone.Ijustwanttobeleftalone.

182Describingabothersomeperson

You’reapainintheneck.(slang)You’reapainintheass.(mildlyvulgar)You’reapaininthebutt.(mildlyvulgar)You’rearoyalpain.(slang)You’reapain.(slang)

Hegratesonme.Hegratesonmynerves.

gratesonmynerves=annoysmeHegetsonmynerves.Hepushesmybuttons.Herubsmethewrongway.Hegetsmydanderup.(informal)dander=temperHeraisesmyhackles.

hackles=longhairsatthebackoftheneck=temper

183Whensomeonehasdonesomethingwrong—polite

Howcouldyoudosuchasillything?Howcouldyoudosuchathing?Whatcouldyouhavebeenthinking?Whatonearthwereyouthinking?Whatpossessedyoutodothat?Whatgotintoyou?Ihopeyou’resorry.Whenwillyoueverlearn?Nowwhatdidyougoanddothatfor?(folksy)

184Whensomeonehasdonesomethingwrong—amazed

Areyououtofyourmind?Areyoucrazy?Haveyoutakenleaveofyoursenses?IfI’vetoldyouonce,I’vetoldyouahundredtimes.(informal)IfI’vetoldyou

once,I’vetoldyouathousandtimes.(informal)Ican’tbelieveyouembarrassedmelikethat!

Ifthat’swhatyouthink,you’vegotanotherthinkcoming.(informal)You’vegotanotherthinkcoming.(informal)

185Whensomeonehasdonesomethingwrong—sarcastic

Areyouhappy(now)?Areyousatisfied?

Areyousatisfied?Ihopeyou’rehappy.Ihopeyou’resatisfied.Aren’tyouproudofyourself?Ihopeyou’reproudofyourself.

186Whensomeonemakesanunwelcomeintervention

Whoaskedyou?(informal)Whoaskedyouropinion?WhenIwantyouropinion,I’llaskforit.Whoinvitedyou?You’renotinvited.You’renotwelcomehere.Wedon’twantyourkindaroundhere.

187Tellingsomeonetostayawayorkeepout

Keepout.Notrespassing.Membersonly.Employeesonly.Noadmittance.Noadmittancewithoutproperidentification.(formal)Thesepremisesarefor

theuseofmembersandguestsonly.(formal)

188Askingsomeone’sintentions

Yougotaproblem?(informal)Whatdoyoumeanbythat?Wereyoutalkingtome?Areyoutryingtostartsomething?(Justexactly)whatareyougettingat?(Justexactly)whatareyoutryingtosay?

189Startingafight

Doyouwanttostepoutside(andsettlethis)?Wouldyouliketostepoutside?Wanttomakesomethingofit?

something=anissuetofightaboutCaretomakesomethingofit?

190Askingsomeonetoleaveyourpropertyalone

Handsoff!Excuseme,that’smine.DidIsayyoucouldtouchthat?Lookwithyoureyesnotyourhands.Ifyoubreakit,youpayforit.Ifyoubreakit,you’veboughtit.

191Askingsomeonetostayoutofyouraffairs

Mindyourownbusiness.(informal)Mindyourownbeeswax.(slang)beeswax=business

M.Y.O.B.(slang)=Mindyourownbusiness.

Buttout!(slang)=Mindyourownbusiness!

That’snoneofyouraffair.Getyournoseoutofmybusiness.(informal)Keepyournoseoutofmy

business.(informal)

192Whensomeoneisharassingyou—angryanddirect

Getoffmyback!(slang)Layoff,willyou!(slang)Getoffmytail!(slang)Getoffmyass!(mildlyvulgar)Getoffit!(slang)Comeoffit!(slang)

193Whensomeoneisharassingyou—rude

Nutstoyou.(mildlyvulgar)Screwyou.(mildlyvulgar)Upyours.(vulgar)

194Whensomeoneispresumptuous

Whywouldyouasksuchathing?Howcouldyousaysuchathing?

Howcouldyousaysuchathing?Whatrightdoyouhavetosaythat?Whogaveyoutheright?Wheredoyoucomeoffsayingthat?Well,Inever!

195Whensomeonehasunderestimatedyourintelligence

HowdumbdoyouthinkIam?(informal)DoyouthinkIwasbornyesterday?(informal)Whodoyouthinkyou’rekidding?(informal)Whodoyouthinkyou’retalkingto?(informal)

196Whensomeoneinterruptswithanopinion

WasItalkingtoyou?Whoaskedyou?Iwasn’tspeakingtoyou.WhenIwantyouropinion,I’llaskit.WhenIwantyouropinion,I’llbeatitoutofyou.(jocular)Thankyoufor

sharing.(sarcastic)I’llthankyoutokeepyouropinionstoyourself.I’llthankyoutomindyourownbusiness!Keepyournoseoutofmybusiness.(informal)Keepyouropinionstoyourself.Mindyourownbusiness.

Mindyourownbusiness.Mindyourownbeeswax.(slang)beeswax=businessM.Y.O.B.(slang)

=Mindyourownbusiness.

197Apologizing—sarcastic

Well,excuseme.(informal)Excusemeforbreathing.(informal)Excusemeforliving.(informal)Pardonmeforliving.(informal)

198Whensomeoneoverreacts

Relax.Chill.(informal)Don’tgetbentoutofshape.(slang)Don’tmakeafederalcaseoutofit.

(informal)Likeit’ssuchabigdeal.(informal)It’snobigdeal.(informal)You’remakingamountainoutofamolehill.

Don’tbitemyheadoff.(informal)Don’tjumpdownmythroat.(informal)Sametoyou.(informal)

So’syouruncle.(informal)Sueme.(informal)So,sueme.(informal)

199Whenpunishmentisinstoreforsomeone

You’llgetyours.

You’llgetyours.You’llgetyourdue.You’llgetwhat’scomingtoyou.Whatgoesaroundcomesaround.(cliché)You’llgetyourjustdeserts.

200Explainingharshjustice

Whatgoesaroundcomesaround.(cliché)Itcutsbothways.(cliché)Quidproquo.(Latin)=Thisforthat.

Aneyeforaneye;atoothforatooth.Thechickenshavecomehometoroost.Twocanplay(at)thatgame.(informal)Servesyouright.

201Threateningretaliation

I’llgiveyouadoseofyourownmedicine.(cliché)I’llfixyourwagon.(cliché)Idareyou.

Goahead,makemyday.(cliché)

202Requestingsilence

Quiet!Bequiet!Keepquiet!

Keepstill!Bestill!Hush!Silence!(formal)Shutup!(informal)Shutyourmouth!(informal)Shutyourtrap!(informal)Holdyourtongue!Hushyourmouth!(informal)Shush!(informal)Shh!(informal)Notanotherword!Buttonyourlip!(informal)Buttonin!(informal)Clamup!(slang)Dryup!(slang)

203Requestingsomeonetostopneedlesstalk

Canit!(slang)Stowit!(slang)Putacorkinit!(slang)it=yourmouthPutasockinit!(slang)Cutthegab!(slang)

gab=needlesschatterCutthecrap!(mildlyvulgar)crap=dung=needlesschatter

204Whensomeoneisnotdoingenough

You’renotdoingyourshare.You’renotdoingyourfairshare.You’renotcarryingyourweight.You’renotpullingyourweight.You’renotpullingyourownweight.You’renotlivinguptoyourendofthebargain.You’renotholdingupyourendofthebargain.You’renotreachingyourpotential.You’reslackingoff.Getonthestick.(slang)

205Whensomeonestartstrouble

Stopstirringthingsup.Youliketomaketrouble,don’tyou?Don’tyouhaveanythingbettertodo?You’vegottoomuchtimeonyourhands.Can’tyouleavewellenoughalone?Getajob!(slang)Getahobby!(informal)Getalife!(slang)

206Expressingmocksympathy

Aw,poorbaby.Youpoorthing.Myheartbleedsforyou.I’mallchokedup.

207Expressingmocksympathy—sarcastic

Here’saquarter.Callsomeonewhocares.Obviouslyyou’vemistakenmeforsomeonewhocares.WhatmakesyouthinkIcare?DoyouthinkIcare?

DoyouthinkIcare?LikeIcare.(informal)AsifIcare.(informal)Asif.(informal)Frankly,mydear,Idon’tgiveadamn.(mildlyvulgar)Goodforyou.I’mhappyforyou.Thanksforsharing.I’msogladyoutoldusthat.Thankyouforsharing.Isn’tthatspecial?

208Whenyouarehelplesstohelp—rude

Whatdoyouwantmetodoaboutit?Whatdoyouexpectmetodoaboutit?WhatamIsupposedtodoaboutit?LikeIcandoanythingaboutit.

VISITS

209Askingtovisitsomeone

GuestsandHosts

Areyoufreelatertoday?CouldIcomeoverlatertoday?CanIcomeover?DoyoumindifIstopbylatertoday?WouldyoumindifIstoppedbylater?WoulditbeaproblemifIdroppedbyforafewminutes?WoulditbeallrightifIdroppedbyforafewminutes?AreyoubusyorcanIcomeover?Whenwouldbeagoodtimeformetocomeover?When’sagoodtimeforyou?I’llbetherebyseven.I’llbethereafterdinner.

210Whenyouareinvitedtoaninformalmealinahome

DoIneedtobringanything?Wouldyoulikemetobringanything?CanIbringsomething?CanIbringanything?

CanIbringanything?ShouldIbringanything?WhatshouldIbring?Wouldyoulikemetobringwine?ShallIbringwine?I’llbringthewine.Letmebringdessert.

211Askingaboutaninvitationyouhavereceived

WhattimeshouldIbethere?Whatdoyouhaveplanned?HowshouldIdress?WhatshouldIwear?Isitcasualorformal?I’mplanningtodrive.How’stheparking?CanIbringmykids?MayIbringafriend?CanIbringsomething?

something=food

212Apologizingforbeinglate

I’msorryI’mlate.SorryI’mlate.I’msorrytohavekeptyouwaiting.Sorrytohavekeptyouwaiting.

213Explainingwhyoneislate

Imisjudgedthetime.Ididn’trealizeitwassolate.Ilosttrackoftime.Ioverslept.Myalarmdidn’tgooff.Igotalatestart.Igotsidetracked.

sidetracked=detoured;distractedMylastappointmentranover.Ihadtorunanerrand.

Ihadtorunanerrand.Ihadtodropsomeoneoff.Ihadtogetmoney.Icouldn’tgetataxi.Icouldn’tgetacab.

Thetrainwaslate.Thebuswaslate.Imissedthebus.Imissedmyride.Myridedidn’tshow(up).Ihadtogetgas.Ihadtostopforgas.Ihadtostopandgetgas.Iranoutofgas.Trafficwasslow.Trafficwashell.(mildlyvulgar)Iwasstuckintraffic.Igotlost.Idon’thaveGPS.Imissedmyexit.

Imissedmyexit.Therewasconstruction.Therewasanaccident.IttookmelongertogetherethanIthoughtitwould.IttooklongerthanIexpectedtogethere.Ididn’trealizethiswassofaraway.ItwasfartherthanIthought.Iwaslookingforparking.Icouldn’tfindaparkingspot.Icouldn’tfindaparkingplace.Icouldn’tfindaplacetopark.

214Whenyoufinallyarriveafterbeinglate

Ihopeyoustartedwithoutme.I’mgladyoustartedwithoutme.Wereyouwaitinglong?Youshouldhavestartedwithoutme.Nexttimestartwithoutme.

215Greetingsforvisitors

Lookwho’shere!Well,lookwho’shere!AmIsurprisedtoseeyou!AmIeversurprisedtoseeyou!Lookatwhatthecatdraggedin!(folksy)Fancymeetingyouhere.

216Invitingavisitortocomein

Comeonin.Comerightonin.Comerightin.Docomein.(formal)Pleasecomein.Comeinandrelaxforafewminutes.Comeinandtakealoadoffyourfeet.(folksy)Comeinandtakealoadoff.

(folksy)Comeinandsitdown.Comeinandsetaspell.(folksy)Comeinandstayawhile.Comeinandmakeyourselfathome.

217Aftergreetingavisitor

TowhatdoIowethepleasureofthisunexpectedvisit?(formal)TowhatdoIowethisvisit?

Whatareyoudoinghere?Whatbringsyouhere?Whatbringsyoutothisneckofthewoods?(folksy)neckofthewoods=

locationWhythisdelightfulsurprise?Whatadelightfulsurprise!Whatanicesurprise!It’snicetoseeyouagain.

It’snicetoseeyouagain.

It’sapleasuretoseeyouagain.(formal)It’ssogoodtoseeyouagain.It’ssogoodtoseeyouafterallthistime.Goodseeingyouagain.I’mdelightedtohaveyouvisit.I’mdelightedtohaveyou.Delightedtohaveyouhere.I’msohappyyoulookedmeup.I’msogladyoulookedmeup.I’msogladyoutookthetroubletolookmeup.I’msogladyoucouldcome.I’msogladyoucouldcomeby.I’msogladyoucouldmakeit.I’msogladyoucoulddropby.I’msogladyoucouldstopby.I’msogladyoucouldvisit.Gladyoucouldcome.Gladyoucoulddropby.Gladyoucouldstopby.

Gladyoucouldstopby.We’vewantedtohaveyouoverbeforethis.We’vewantedtoinviteyouoverbeforethis.We’vebeenmeaningtohaveyouover.We’vebeenmeaningtoinviteyouover.We’vebeenlookingforwardtoseeingyouforalongtime.We’vebeenwantingtoseeyouforalongtime.

218Makingavisitorfeelwelcomeandcomfortable

Makeyourselfcomfortable.Makeyourselfcomfy.Makeyourselfrightathome.Makeyourselfathome.Wouldyouliketotakeoffyourcoat?Here,letmetakeyourcoat.CanItakeyourcoatandhat?CanIhelpyouoffwithyourthings?Letmehelpyouoffwithyourthings.Takeyourcoatoffandstayawhile.Whydon’tyoutakeoffyourcoatandmakeyourselfcomfortable?Putyourthingsanywhereandsitdownforaminute.Justdropyourcoathere.(informal)

219Invitingavisitortostayfordinner

Canyoustayfordinner?Canyou=Wouldyou,Areyouableto,Willyou

Canyouhavedinnerwithus?Canyoustayandhavedinnerwithus?Wouldyoucaretostayfordinner?

220Encouragingaguesttofeelathome

Pleasemakeyourselfathome.Ourhouseisyourhouse.Myhouseisyourhouse.Micasaessucasa.(Spanish)Ifthere’sanythingyouneed,don’thesitatetoask.Ifthere’sanythingyouwant,don’thesitatetoask.Ifthere’sanythingIcandoforyou,justask.You’retodoexactlyasyouplease.Pleasedoexactlyasyouplease.Wouldyouliketofreshenupabit?Wouldyoulikesomethingtodrink?CanIgetyousomethingtodrink?

221Offeringaguestaseat

Pleasesitdown.Haveaseat.Trythischair.It’smorecomfortable.Wouldyouliketositoverhere?Wouldyoupreferamorecomfortablechair?

222Steeringaguesttoaparticularroom

Pleasecomeintothelivingroom.Comeoninthelivingroom.Rightthisway.Everyoneseemstobeinthekitchen.Theotherguestsareinthelibrary.Wouldyouliketojoinusinthelivingroom?Everyoneisinthelivingroom.Wouldyoucaretojoinus?

223Encouragingaguesttobeindependent

Pleasegoaroundandintroduceyourselftoeveryone.Couldyoujustintroduceyourselftotheotherguests?Justgoinandmeeteveryone.Ihopeyoudon’tmindintroducingyourselfaround.Don’tstandonceremony.Makeyourselfknown.Getyourselfadrinkandsomethingtoeat.Pleasefeelfreetominglewiththeotherguests.Ihopeyoudon’tmindgettingyourselfadrink.Thebar’soverthere.Pleasehelpyourself.

224Minglingwithotherguests

MindifIjoinyou?CareifIjoinyou?MayIjoinyou?Hello,mynameisLee.Hello,I’mJane.SohowdoyouknowJuanandMaria?IworkwithJuan.I’mfriendswithMaria.I’mafriendofMaria’s.Haveyoutriedthedip?Greatparty,huh?(informal)Whatagreatspread!

spread=displayofpartyfood

225Whataguestsaystoahostorhostess

WherecanIputmycoat?DoyoumindifIsmoke?MindifIsmoke?Whereisthebathroom(,please)?Youhaveabeautifulhome.Thetablelooksbeautiful.

Thetablelooksbeautiful.Ilovewhatyouhavedonewiththelivingroom.Youhaveawonderfulplace.Youhavewonderfultaste.

226Startingaconversationusingthetopicofweather

Niceweatherwe’rehaving.Lousyweather,isn’tit?Horribleweatherwe’rehaving.Lovelyweatherforducks.(sarcastic)It’srainingagain.Hotenoughforyou?(ironic)Coldenoughforyou?(ironic)It’snottheheat;

it’sthehumidity.(cliché)

227Askingaquestiontostartaconversation

What’snew?What’sup?Whattimeisit?Doyouhavethetime?Thisfoodisgood,isn’tit?

228Startingaconversationwithsomeoneyouknowwell

Howhaveyoubeen?How’swork?How’syourfamily?How’sthefamily?Lookslikeyoujustgotahaircut.Ilikeyourhair.Ilikeyouroutfit.Thatdressislovely.Thatdresslooksniceonyou.Wheredidyoubuythatsweater?I’vebeenwantingtogetone.

229Startingaconversationinawaitingroom

CanItakealookatyourpaper?Whatareyoulisteningto?Whatbookareyoureading?Readanygoodbookslately?Didyouseethatshowlastnight?Seenanygoodmoviesrecently?Doyouhaveabreathmint?I’mgoingtogetacoffee.Wouldyoulikeone?

230Talkingabouttheweather

Niceweatherwe’rehaving.Thesunisshining.It’sbrightandsunny.It’seightydegrees.Lousyweather,huh?Horribleweatherwe’rehaving.Lovelyweatherforducks.(sarcastic)It’snottheheat;it’sthehumidity.

(cliché)It’srainingagain.It’srainingcatsanddogs.(cliché)Whatastorm!Whatadownpour!Whatasnowstorm!Whatablizzard!Hotenoughforyou?(ironic)Coldenoughforyou?(ironic)It’sraining.It’ssnowing.It’scold.It’shot.It’shumid.It’sfoggy.It’ssmoggy.It’smuggy.It’swindy.

231Whattosaywheninacrowdedplace

It’stoocrowdedinhere.Ifeellikeasardine.We’repackedinlikesardines.We’recrammedinlikesardines.We’recrammedsolid.Thispartyiswall-to-wallpeople.It’sabsolutelyjam-packed.I’mgettingclaustrophobic.Ineedsomeelbowroom.There’snoroomtobreathe.There’snotenoughroomtoswingacat.(folksy)Wouldyouliketogo

somewherequieter?Wouldyouliketogosomewherelesscrowded?

232Preparingtoleavehome

Dowehaveeverything?Haveweforgottenanything?Didweforgetanything?Doyouhaveyourkeys?Didyouleavealighton?

Didyouleavealighton?Ican’tfindmykeys.Wait,Iforgotmywallet.Didyoubringthemap?Doyouhavethedirections?Arethekidsready?Istheansweringmachineon?Didyougotothebathroom?Didyouunplugtheiron?DidyouturnofftheTV?Didyouturndowntheheating?Didyouturnoffthestove?

233Statingwhenyouwillreturnhome

I’llbegonejustafewminutes.Seeyouinanhour.Iwon’tbelate.I’llbebackbyten.I’llbehomelate.Don’twaitupforme.

Don’twaitupforme.

234Preparingtoleaveahostorhostess

Well,it’sgettinglate.Isitthatlatealready?Isitthattimealready?Lookslikeit’sthattime.Thetimehascome.Ihatetoeatandrun.Idon’twanttowearoutmywelcome.Ineedmybeautysleep.(jocular)Wehavetogetupearlytomorrow.Wehaveabigdaytomorrow.

big=busyIneedtorun.I’mafraidImustrun.I’mafraidImustbegoing.I’vegottoberunning.

I’mafraidIhavetobegoing.I’vegottobegoing.I’dbetterbeoff.I’dbestbeoff.I’dbestleavenow.Ibettergetmoving.Ibetterhittheroad.Imustbeoff.

Imustbeoff.Imustsaygoodnight.I’vegottohittheroad.(idiomatic)Ibettergetonmyhorse.(idiomatic)I’moff.

(informal)I’moutofhere.(slang)I’mhistory.(slang)Betterbegoing.Betterbeoff.Bettergetmoving.Betterhittheroad.(idiomatic)Timetocallitaday.Timetocallitanight.Timetogo.Timetorun.Timetohittheroad.Timetomovealong.Timetopushalong.Timetopushoff.Timetoshoveoff.Timetosplit.(slang)Timeflieswhenyou’rehavingfun.(cliché)Gottago.Gottohittheroad.Gottorun.Gottoshoveoff.Gottosplit.(slang)Gottotakeoff.Gottobeshovingoff.Gottofly.Gottogetmoving.Gottogohomeandgetmybeautysleep.(jocular)Havetobemovingalong.Havetogonow.Havetomovealong.Havetorunalong.

Havetorunalong.Havetoshoveoff.

235Whendeparting

Thanksforhavingmeover.Thankyouforalovelyevening.(formal)Thankyouforalovelytime.(formal)

Thankyouforhavingus.Thankyouforinvitingus.

236Questionsaskedofdepartingguests

Doyouwantacupofcoffeebeforeyougo?Areyousoberenoughtodrive?CanIcallyouataxi?Canyoufindyourwayhome?Willyougethomeallright?Willyougethomeokay?(informal)Doyouhaveeverything?

everything=everythingthatyouarrivedwith

237Sayinggood-byetodepartingguests

It’sbeenadelightfulvisit.(formal)It’sbeendelightful.It’sbeenourpleasure.

Sogoodtoseeyou.Doyouhaveeverything?Thankyouforcoming.Thanksforcoming.Thanksfordroppingin.Thanksfordroppingby.Thanksforstoppingover.I’msogladyoustoppedby.Gladyoucouldcome.Gladyoucoulddropby.Gladyoucouldstopby.Comebacksoon.Comebackanytime.Comebackwhenyoucanstaylonger.Docomebacksoon.Let’sdothisagainsoon.Wehavetodothisagainsometime.Seeyousoon.

MISCELLANEOUSEXPRESSIONS

CommentsandPhrases

238Generalexclamations

Wow!Gosh!Golly!Gee!Geewhiz!Holycow!sHolycrap!(vulgar)Holyshit!(vulgar)Holysmoke!HolyToledo!

Sonofagun!

Sonofabitch!(mildlyvulgar)Sonofaseabiscuit!Well,I’llbe!I’llbedarned!I’llbedamned!(mildlyvulgar)Well,I’llbeamonkey’suncle!Whatdoyouknow?Imaginethat!Canyoubeatthat!Fancythat!Isn’tthatsomething!Wellifthatain’tthecats’meow.Bygum!(folksy)Bygolly!(folksy)ByJove!ByGeorge!GreatScott!Oh,my!Myword!Oh,mygoodness!Mygoodness!Goodness!Heavens!Goodheavens!Forheaven’ssake!ForPete’ssake!Forpity’ssake!Goodgracious!Goodgrief!Goodnessgracious!MyGod!(oath)OhmyGod!(oath)Godforbid!(mildoath)Great!

Great!Excellent!Hotdog!Hotdiggety!(folksy)GoodLord!Hotdamn!(mildlyvulgar)Lordy!(mildoath)Lordybe!(mildoath)Lordhavemercy!(mildoath)Saintspreserveus!(mildoath)Glorybe!Hushmymouth!(folksy)Shutmymouth!(folksy)AsIliveandbreathe!Mystars!Zounds!Gadzooks!Youdon’tsay!Willwondersnevercease!

239Religiousexpressions

Amen!=Iagree!

Hallelujah!=Hooray!

Alleluia!=Hooray!

Hosanna!=Hooray!

Glory(be)toGod!PraisebetoGod!ThanksbetoGod.

240Expressionsmeaning“almost”

Nicetry.(sarcastic)Notquite.Sonearandyetsofar.Socloseandyetsofar.Close,butnocigar.(cliché)Youwerewithinahair’sbreadth.Closeenoughforgovernmentwork.(informal)Almostonlycountsin

horseshoesandhandgrenades.(cliché)It’sallornothing.Amissisasgoodasamile.(cliché)

241Leavingthingsastheyare

Letitbe.Leaveitbe.Letitgo.Letthingsbe.Liveandletlive.Ifitain’tbroke,don’tfixit.(cliché)Letsleepingdogslie.(cliché)Don’tmake

waves.(idiomatic)Don’trocktheboat.(idiomatic)Don’tmaketrouble.Don’tgolookingfortrouble.

242Expressingdifferencesbetweenpeople—clichés

differentstrokesfordifferentfolks.We’llagreetodisagree.Oneman’smeatisanotherman’spoison.Oneman’strashisanotherman’streasure.Tastesdiffer.There’snoaccountingfortaste.Varietyisthespiceoflife.Ittakesallkinds.Ittakesallkindstomakeaworld.Viveladifference!(French)=Hoorayforthedifference!

243Warnings

Beprepared!Becareful!Watchout!Watchit!Lookout!Looksharp!Watchyourstep!Headsup!Behindyou!Toyourright!Onyourleft!Comingthrough!Gangway!Makeway!Fore!

(saidingolfingwhentheballisstruck)Duck!Hitthepavement!Hitthedeck!Beware!

Beware!Caution!Proceedwithcaution.Manoverboard!

(saidwhensomeonefallsfromaboatintothewater)Fire!Takecare.Safetyfirst.Lookbeforeyouleap.Let’stakethisonestepatatime.(cliché)Leavenothingtochance.(cliché)

Slowdown.Takeyourtime.Playitcool.Playitsafe.Don’tblowyourcover.Stop,look,andlisten.Lookbothwaysbeforeyoucrossthestreet.Letthebuyerbeware.Caveatemptor.(Latin)

=Letthebuyerbeware.We’renotoutofthewoodsyet.(idiomatic)We’reskatingonthinice.

244Givingandreceiving—clichés

Whatgoesaround,comesaround.Youscratchmyback,I’llscratchyours.Onehandwashestheother.Dountoothersasyouwouldhavethemdountoyou.Doasyouwouldbedoneby.Asamansows,soshallhereap.Titfortat.

=Thisinreturnforthat.Quidproquo.(Latin)

=Titfortat.

245Causeandeffect—clichés

AprilshowersbringMayflowers.Youmadeyourbed;nowlieinit.Asthetwigisbent,soisthetreeinclined.Asthetwigisbent,sogrowsthetree.Onegoodturndeservesanother.Onethingleadstoanother.

246Sayingtheobvious—clichés

It’snotover‘tilit’sover.Boyswillbeboys.Eastiseast,westiswest.That’sthat.Lifeislife.That’slife.Enoughisenough.

247Expressionsforaforgottenwordorname

Whatsit.Whaddyacallit.Whatchamacallit.Whatchamajig.Thingamajig.Thingamajigger.What’s‘ername.What’s‘isname.What’s‘isface.What’s‘erface.Youknowwho.

YouknowwhatImean.Thatcertainsomething.Jenesaisquoi.(French)

=Idon’tknow.

248Regardingorderandprocedure

Thereisatimeandaplaceforeverything.(cliché)Aplaceforeverythingandeverythinginitsplace.(cliché)Everythinghasitsseason.(cliché)Allinduetime.(cliché)

Firstthingsfirst.(cliché)Firstcome,firstserved.(cliché)Thefirstshallbelastandthelastshallbefirst.(Biblical)Rulesaremadetobebroken.(cliché)Rulesaremeanttobefollowed,notbroken.

WheninRome,doastheRomansdo.(cliché)Don’tputthecartbeforethehorse.(cliché)Don’tcountyourchickensbeforetheyarehatched.(cliché)Let’scrossthatbridgewhenwecometoit.(cliché)Dowhatyouaretold.

Doasyouaretold.IjustdowhatIamtold.IjustdoasIamtold.Ijustworkhere.I’mjustthehelp.Followtherules.That’showwedoithere.Gobythebook.Youmustgothroughproperchannels.

249Describingamessyplace

Thisplaceisamess.Thisplaceisapigsty.Thisplaceisadisgrace.Whatamess.Whatapit.(slang)Whatadump.(slang)Whatajunkheap.(slang)Thisplacelookslikeatornadohitit.Thisplacelookslikeanationaldisaster(area).Thisplacelookslikeadisasterarea.Thisplacelookslikeitwentthroughthewar.Thisplacelookslikeit’sbeenthroughawar.Thisplacelookslikeit’sbeenthroughWorldWarIII.Howcanyoufindanythinginhere?Howdoyouexpecttofindanythinginthismess?Wereyouraisedinabarn?Howaboutcleaningupalittlearoundhere?Ifyouwouldputthingswheretheybelong,theywouldn’tgetlost.

250Concerningunity—clichés

Unitedwestand;dividedwefall.

Unitedwestand;dividedwefall.Ahousedividedagainstitselfcannotstand.Allforoneandoneforall.Birdsofafeatherflocktogether.Manyhandsmakelightwork.

251Concerningnostalgia

WhenIwasakid...WhenIwasyourage...Inmyday...Inmytime...Inthatdayandage...Thosewerethedays.Thosewerethegoodolddays.Theydon’tmakethemliketheyusedto.

252Concerningstrength—clichés

Youdon’tknowyourownstrength.You’reasstrongasanox.Achainisonlyasstrongasitsweakestlink.

253Concerningrigidityofcharacter—idiomsandclichés

He’ssetinhisways.Aleopardcannotchangehisspots.Youcan’tteachanolddognewtricks.Oldhabitsdiehard.You’reasstubbornasabull.Whyareyousobullheaded?

254Feelingwarmorhot

It’shotinhere.It’slikeanoveninhere.I’msweltering.I’mgoingtomelt.Openawindow.Turnontheairconditioner.Hotenoughforyou?(ironic)Isithotenoughforyou?(ironic)It’snottheheat,

it’sthehumidity.(cliché)It’sashotashell.(mildlyvulgar)

255Feelingcoolorcold

It’scoldinhere.I’mfreezing.

I’mfreezing.I’mshivering.Myteetharechattering.Mylipsareblue.I’mgoingnumb.I’mchilledtothebone.Shutthewindow.Turnontheheat.Turnuptheheat.Turntheheatup.Coldenoughforyou?(ironic)Isitcoldenoughforyou?(ironic)

256Describingadditionalunspecifiedpeopleorthings

Etcetera.(Latin)=Andsoforth.

Andsoon.Andsoforth.Andeverything.

Andeverythingelse.Andeverythinglikethat.Andalllikethat.

Andstuff.(slang)Andstufflikethat(there).(slang)Andwhathaveyou.Andlikethat.Andthensome.

257Concerningcleanliness

It’sascleanasawhistle.It’ssocleanyoucouldeatoffthefloor.It’sspicandspan.Cleanyourroom.Pickupyourclothes.Iwantyoutopickupyourroom.Iwantthisplacespotless.Pickupafteryourself.Wereyouraisedinabarn?Youlivelikeapig!Aplaceforeverything,andeverythinginitsplace.(cliché)Cleanlinessisnext

togodliness.(cliché)

258Concerningsurprise

Unbelievable!Ihadnoidea!Whowouldhavethought?ItwasthelastthingIexpected.Ineverwouldhaveguessed.Iwascaughtunaware.Iwascaughtunawares.(informal)Itwastheshockofmylife.Itdroppedlikeabomb.Itdroppedfromtheclouds.Itappearedfromtheclouds.Itburstontothescene.Itcameoutofleftfield.

Itcameoutofleftfield.Itcamefromnowhere.Itappearedoutofnowhere.Itcamefromoutoftheblue.Itwasaboltfromtheblue.Itthrewmeforaloop.Thatknockedmeforaloop.Youcouldhaveknockedmeoverwithafeather.(cliché)

259Concerningexpectation

Itcameasnosurprise.Iknewitwascoming.It’sjustasIexpected.Myfingersarecrossed.I’mcrossingmyfingers.I’mwaitingwithbatedbreath.(cliché)I’llwaitforyou.I’llstayupforyou.I’llwaitup.I’llsitupandwait.

260Concerningapremonition

Ihaveahunch.

Ihaveahunch.Ihaveafeeling.Ihaveagutfeeling.Ijusthavethisfeeling.Igetthefeelingsomething’sgoingtohappen.Ifeelitinmybones.Icanfeelit.Icansenseit.Mysixthsensetellsmethat...Myguttellsmethat...It’swomen’sintuition.Astormisbrewing.Thehandwriting’sonthewall.(cliché)It’sanomen.It’saharbingerofthingstocome.It’sasignofthingstocome.It’saportentofthingstocome.It’sagoodsign.It’sabadsign.It’sagoodomen.It’sabadomen.

261Concerningbeingbusy—clichés

You’reasbusyasabeaver.You’reasbusyasabee.Manyhandsmakelightwork.Alittleworkneverhurtanyone.It’sallinaday’swork.Awoman’sworkisneverdone.AllworkandnoplaymakesJackadullboy.Godhelpsthosewhohelpthemselves.

262Makinganextraeffort

I’vegoneoutofmywaytopleaseyou.I’vebentoverbackwardsforyou.I’vegonetheextramile.I’vegonebeyondthecallofduty.I’vegoneaboveandbeyondthecallofduty.You’vegottentheroyaltreatment.I’vetreatedyoulikeaking.I’vetreatedyoulikeaqueen.We’verolledouttheredcarpet.(idiomatic)=We’vepreparedfortheeventas

ifwewerepreparingforroyalty.You’regettingthered-carpettreatment.(idiomatic)red-carpet=royalWeaimtoplease.Weaimtotreatyouright.(folksy)

263Demandingtobegivenanobject

Giveittome.Giveithere.(informal)Giveitup.(informal)Gimmeit.(informal)Gimme.(informal)Give.(informal)Coughitup.(informal)

it=moneyHanditover.(informal)Forkitover.(slang)Letmehaveit.Whereisit?Leaveitgo.(informal)Letitgo.Letgoofthat.

264Whensomeoneispreparingforanimportantevent—clichés

Thisisyourbignight.Thiscouldbeyourluckyday.Thisisit.

Thisisthemomentyou’vebeenwaitingfor.Thisisthebigmoment.Knock‘emdead.(informal)Breakaleg.(informal)

(awayofwishinggoodlucktoanactorbeforeaperformance)Makeusproudofyou.Makeusproud.I’msureyouwillmakeusproudofyou.

265Whensomeoneisdressedup

You’redressedtothenines.(slang)You’redressedtokill.(slang)You’realldressedup.

You’reallgussiedup.(informal)gussiedup=dressedup(maleorfemale)You’realldolledup.(informal)dolledup=dresseduplikeadoll(maleor

female)Youlookgreatinamonkeysuit.(informal)monkeysuit=tuxedo;evening

jacket(usuallymale)Youlooklikeamillionbucks.Youlooklikeamilliondollars.Youlooklikeamillion.Youlookamillion.

266Whenyoufeelyouarenotwanted

Doyouwantmetogo(away)?Doyouwantmetoleave?Wouldyoulikemetoleave?Ifyouwantmetoleave,justask.Ifyouwantmetoleave,whydon’tyoujustsayso?IknowwhenI’mnotwanted.Idon’tlikebeinghereanybetterthanyoudo.AmIcrampingyourstyle?(informal)

267Regardingsomethinglessthanwhatwasdesired

Iwashopingformore.Iwascountingonmore.Iwasgunningformore.It’snotwhatIhadinmind.It’snotwhatIpictured.It’snotwhatIhopedfor.It’snotwhatIhadhopedfor.

It’snotwhatIexpected.It’snotwhatIanticipated.Iexpectedsomethingmore.It’safarcryfromwhatIexpected.Itleavesalottobedesired.Theygotthebestofme.I’vebeencheated.Ididn’tgetwhatIbargainedfor.Iwastakenadvantageof.Igotleftholdingthebag.

Igot=I’vebeen,IwasIgotgypped.(informal)

gypped=cheatedIgotrooked.(informal)

rooked=cheatedIgottheshortendofthestick.

theshortendofthestick=thelosingpartofabargainIgotrobbed.(informal)Igottaken.(informal)

Igottakentothecleaners.(informal)Igotabumdeal.(informal)abum

deal=abaddeal;anunfairdealIgotarawdeal.(informal)arawdeal=abaddeal;anunfairdealIgotscrewed.(mildlyvulgar)

268Describingareprimand

Igotchewedout.(informal)Igot=I’vebeen,IwasIgotmyasschewedout.(mildlyvulgar)Igotrakedoverthecoals.(idiomatic)

Igothauledoverthecoals.(idiomatic)Igotanearful.Iwasputthroughthewringer.Iwastakentotask.Theyletmeoffthehookthistime.(idiomatic)offthehook=freefroman

obligationorguiltTheyletmeoffeasy.Theyletmeoffwithjustawarning.Theyletitslide.Theyletitgo.Ijustgotaslaponthewrist.

aslaponthewrist=amildpunishment

269Whensomethingisbroken

Itbroke.It’sbroken.Itdoesn’twork.It’sonthefritz.(idiomatic)onthefritz=outoforderIt’sontheblink.(informal)ontheblink=outoforderThisthingisreallyscrewedup!(informal)screwedup=messedup;madeto

beoutoforder

270Whensomethingisoutoforder

It’soutoforder.It’soutofservice.It’soutofkilter.(informal)It’soutofwhack.(informal)It’sdead.(informal)It’skaput.(slang)

kaput(German)=deadItupanddied(onme).(folksy)Itdiedonme.It’sintheshop.

intheshop=intherepairshopIt’soutofcommission.

271Onbeingpushedtothelimitofyourpatience

That’sthestrawthatbrokethecamel’sback.(cliché)=That’stheminorthingthatwillfinallytriggersomeactivity.

That’sthelaststraw!(cliché)thelaststraw=thestrawthatbrokethecamel’sback

Thatdoesit!That’sit.I’vehadit.Thattearsit.(idiomatic)Thisistoomuch.ThisismorethanIcanbear.ThisismorethanIcantake.ThisismorethanIcanstand.That’sjustwhatIneeded.Ineededthatlikeaholeinthehead.(sarcastic)That’safinehow-do-you-do.Here’safinehow-do-you-do.Well,thattakesthecake!(idiomatic)That’sjustswell!(sarcastic)That’sjust

great!(sarcastic)Nowwhat?=Whatelsecouldpossiblyhappenatthispoint?

PlansandProjects

272Beginninganewprojectoractivity

Wheredowebegin?Howshouldwegoaboutdoingthis?What’sthefirststep?What’sfirstontheagenda?Let’sorganizeataskforce.Whowillbeincharge?We’reonourway.We’reoffandrunning.We’reofftoagoodstart.We’vehitthegroundrunning.

We’reheadedintherightdirection.We’reoffontherightfoot.We’velaidagoodfoundation.We’veonlyjustbegun.We’rejustgettingourfeetwet.(idiomatic)gettingourfeetwet=justgetting

startedWe’vemadeagooddentinit.(idiomatic)It’sastart.You’vegottobeginsomewhere.I’dliketolaydownafewgroundrules.

273Concerningthedeceptivelydifficult

It’snotaseasyasitseems.It’snotaseasyasitlooks.It’sharderthanitlooks.It’sharderthanyouthink.Easiersaidthandone.There’smoretoitthanmeetstheeye.It’ssurprisinglydifficult.It’slikelookingforaneedleinahaystack.It’sarealchallenge.

274Concerningtheimpossible

Thatwon’twork.That’llneverholdwater.

=Thatwillneverbeoperable.Neverhappen.(informal)There’snoway.(informal)Nocando.(informal)

275Concerningfutility

You’rewastingyourtime.You’rewastingyourenergy.You’rewastingyoureffort.Itdoesn’tstandachance.Itdoesn’tstandachanceinhell.(mildlyvulgar)There’snotachanceinhell.

(mildlyvulgar)Itdoesn’tstandasnowball’schanceinhell.(mildlyvulgar)Whenhellfreezesover.(mildlyvulgar)=Never.

You’respinningyourwheels.(informal)You’re(just)runningaroundincircles.

You’rebeatingadeadhorse.(informal)beatingadeadhorse=tryingtoactivateormotivatesomethingthatisfinished

Itisn’tworthbeatingyourbrainsout(for).(informal)It’slikelookingforaneedleinahaystack.(cliché)It’sfitforthejunkyard.It’sheadedforthejunkheap.(informal)

276Whensomethingisunimportant

Itdoesn’tmatter.Itmakesnodifference.Itmakesnonevermind.(folksy)=Itdoesn’tmattertome.Itdon’tmake(me)nonevermind.(folksy)It’ssixofone,halfadozenofthe

other.=Itdoesn’tmatterwhichoneorwhichway.

It’snotimportant.It’snotworthwhile.It’snotworthyourwhile.It’snotworthahillofbeans.(idiomatic)It’snotworthmentioning.It’snotworththetrouble.It’snotworthit.

277Endingaproject

Getridofit.Finishitoff.Nipitinthebud.

Doitin.(informal)86it.(slang)

86=nix=tonegate;todestroyKillit.(informal)Killitoff.(informal)Wipeitout.(informal)Wipeitoffthemap.(informal)Soundthedeathknell.(informal)thedeath

knell=thesoundofbellsthatsignalsanimpendingorrecentdeathPutitoutofitsmisery.(informal)Pulltheplugonit.(slang)Pulltherugout

fromunderit.(informal)Puttheskidsonit.(informal)Nukeit.(slang)=Destroyitwithanuclearbomb.

Throwitaway.Throwitout.Pitchit.(informal)Tossit.(informal)Junkit.(informal)Trashit.(informal)Dumpit.(informal)Putitinthecircularfile.(informal)thecircularfile=a(round)wastebasketFileitinthecircularbin.(informal)thecircularbin=thecircularfile;a

(round)wastebasketFileit.(informal)

278Startingoveragainonaproject

Backtothedrawingboard.It’sbacktothedrawingboard.Well,it’sbacktosquareone.Well,it’sbacktobasics.Timetostartoverfromscratch.

PERSONALMATTERS

Feelings

279Askingifsomeoneisallright

AreyouOK?Areyouallright?AreyoufeelingOK?Lifegotyoudown?(informal)Arethingsgettingyoudown?Youlooklikeyoulostyourbestfriend.(cliché)Youlooklikethewindhas

beentakenoutofyoursails.(idiomatic)

280Askingwhysomeonelookssounhappy

What’sthematter?Somethinggotyoudown?

Somethinggotyoudown?What’sgotyoudown?Whyareyousoblue?

blue=sadWhyisyourfacesolong?

facesolong=facesosadWhorainedonyourparade?(idiomatic)rainedonyourparade=ruinedyour

plansWhatrainedonyourparade?(idiomatic)Didsomeonerainonyourparade?

(idiomatic)Whoburstyourbubble?(idiomatic)=Whoruinedyourgoodoutlookonlife?

281Offeringsomeonehelpandadvice

Wouldyouliketotalkaboutit?Needsomeonetotalkto?Ifyouneedsomeonetotalkto,I’malwaysavailable.I’mhereifyouwanttotalkaboutit.

282Encouragingsomeonewhoisunhappy

Cheerup!Thingsareneverasbadastheyseem.Itwill(all)workout.Don’tletitgetyoudown.(idiomatic)Chinup.(cliché)Keepyourchinup.(cliché)Thingswillgetbetter.Tomorrowisanotherday.(cliché)It’salwaysdarkestbeforedawn.(cliché)

Stopcarryingtheweightoftheworldonyourshoulders.There’snopointincarryingtheweightoftheworldonyourshoulders.

283Whenyouaredepressed

I’mdepressed.I’m=He’s,She’s,They’re,We’re,Tom’s,Janet’s,etc.

I’mfeelinglow.I’mfeelingdown.I’mfeelingblue.(idiomatic)blue=sadI’moutofsorts.I’minthedoldrums.I’malittledowninthemouth.(idiomatic)I’mdowninthedumps.

=Iamdepressed.I’vebeendowninthedumpslately.Ican’tputmyfingeronwhat’swrong.

284Expressingdespairandemptiness

Myheartisheavy.My=Her,His,Our,Janet’s,Tom’s,etc.

Myheartisbroken.I’mdownhearted.

I’m=He’s,She’s,They’re,We’re,Tom’s,Janet’s,etc.I’mbroken-hearted.I’mheartbroken.

285Whensomeonelooksveryhappy

Youlooklikeyoujustwonthejackpot.Youlooklikeyoudiedandwenttoheaven.You’relookingontopoftheworld.What’reyousmilingabout?

286Whensomeoneisveryhappy—idioms

I’monCloudNine.I’m=He’s,She’s,They’re,We’re,Tom’s,Jane’s,etc.

I’minseventhheaven.I’mwalkingonair.I’montopoftheworld.I’msittingontopoftheworld.I’mhighonlife.I’mfeelinggood.I’mfeelingfine.I’masmerryasthedayislong.I’mhappyascanbe.I’mhappyasaclam.I’mashappyasaclam.

I’mashappyasaclam.I’maspleasedaspunch.I’mbesidemyselfwithjoy.Icouldn’tbehappier.

287Expressingenthusiasmforlife

Thingscouldn’tbebetter.Everything’scominguproses.Idon’thaveacareintheworld.Whatagreatday!It’sgreattobealive!Itfeelsgoodjusttobealive!Life’sbeengoodtome.

288Whensomeoneiscontent

Mymind’satease.I’mcontent.We’resatisfied.I’mjustgoingwiththeflow.He’sassnugasabuginarug.I’matpeace.(formal)

289Whensomeoneiscarefree

I’mfootlooseandfancy-free.(cliché)Idon’thaveacareintheworld.Tomiswithoutacareintheworld.Ihaven’tacare.

290Whensomeoneisresignedtolifeasitis

IacceptmyselfforwhatIam.I’vecometotermswithmyself.I’vecometotermswithreality.I’vecometogripswithreality.I’velearnedtofacethemusic.(idiomatic)tofacethemusic=tofacelife;to

facerealityLeavewellenoughalone.(cliché)Letwellenoughalone.Letsleepingdogslie.(cliché)=Donottrytosolveaproblemthatisnot

causingextremedifficultiesatthemoment.

291Expressingdispleasurewithsomething

Thatleavesalottobedesired.That’snotwhatIhadinmind.Thatdidn’tfitthebill.

tofitthebill=tobewhatisneededThatdoesn’tquitesuitme.It’snotuptosnuff.

uptosnuff=uptostandardThat’snotwhatit’scrackeduptobe.

crackeduptobe=saidtobe

292Askingsomeonetostopbeingunpleasant

Stopgriping.Stopcomplaining.Quitcomplaining.Quitwhining.Quityourbitching.(mildlyvulgar)Quityourkvetching.

(informal)kvetching=complainingQuityourbeefing.(slang)

tobeef=tocomplainQuityourbellyaching.(slang)tobellyache=tocomplainDon’tbesuchagrouch.Don’tbesuchacrab.

acrab=acrabbyperson=agrouchypersonDon’tbesogrouchy.Don’tbesogrumpy.

grumpy=irritable;outofsortsDidyougetuponthewrongsideofthebed?(idiomatic)Somebodydidn’tget

enoughsleep.Stopsulking.Stoppouting.

293Dullnessandboredom

I’mbored.I’mboredtotears.I’mboredtodeath.I’mboredtodistraction.I’mboredstiff.I’mboredsilly.

Ho-hum.Arewehavingfunyet?Whendoesthefunstart?Thatwentoverlikealeadballoon.(idiomatic)Thatwasaflop.

aflop=afailureThatflopped.Whatayawner.

ayawner=somethingboringthatcausesyawnsHeisasdullasdishwater.(cliché)Thisislikewatchingpaintdry.Hecouldgoonforever.He’slikeabrokenrecord.Shereallywearsonme.

Shereallywearsonme.Wakemeupwhenit’sover.I’msickandtiredofthis.I’mfedup.Ineedachangeofscenery.Ineedachangeofpace.

294Dullnessinpeople

Mustyouharponthesamestring?Mustyoukeepharpingonthat?Mustyoudwellonthesubject?Mustyoubeatadeadhorse?Don’tbesuchastick-in-the-mud.Don’tbesuchapartypooper.(jocular)apartypooper=adullpersonwho

ruinspartiesDon’tbesuchawetblanket.(informal)awetblanket=someonewhoruinsall

thefun,asawetblanketsmothersafireDon’tbesuchakilljoy.(informal)akilljoy=someonewhoruinsallthefun

295Excitementinpeople

She’sthelifeoftheparty.He’s(such)acard.He’sakill.(slang)

Anxiety

296Whenyoufeeloutofplace

Iwasinthewrongplaceatthewrongtime.Ifeellikeafishoutofwater.I’moutofmyelement.WheninRome,doastheRomansdo.(cliché)WheninRome.(informal)

297Expressinganger

I’msofurious.I’msomadIcouldscream.I’veneverbeensomadinmylife.Iwaschewingnails.Tomwasloadedforbear.Shewasshootingdaggersatme.Iflookscouldkill...

298Expressingfright

Iwasscared.Iwasfrightened.Iwasterrified.Iwaspetrified.Iwasscaredtodeath.Iwasscaredsilly.

Youscaredme.Youfrightenedme.Youscaredthehelloutofme.(mildlyvulgar)Youscaredthecrapoutofme.

(mildlyvulgar)Youscaredthedickensoutofme.Youscaredthedeviloutofme.Youscaredthewitsoutofme.Youscaredmeoutofmywits.Youscaredmetodeath.Youscaredmehalftodeath.Youscaredthedaylightsoutofme.Youscaredthelivingdaylightsoutofme.Youscaredthepantsoffme.(informal)Ialmostjumpedoutofmyskin.Ialmostlostit.Itgavemethecreeps.(slang)Itgavemethewillies.(slang)Itmademyflesh

crawl.Itgavemegoosebumps.Itgavemegoosepimples.Ashiverrandownmyspine.Itcurledmyhair.Myhairstoodonend.Mybloodrancold.

Mybloodrancold.Mybloodcurdled.Itsetmyteethonedge.

299Whenyoudonotknowwhattosay

I’matalossforwords.I’mspeechless.I’mdumbstruck.Nocomment.Ihavenoresponse.Ihavenothingtosay.Ihavenothingtoadd.Idon’tknowwhattosay.WhatcanIsay?Whatdoyouwantmetosay?Yougotmethere.

TheSenses

300Difficultyinhearing

I’msorry,I’mhardofhearing.

I’msorry,I’mhardofhearing.I’msorry,I’mhearing-impaired.Hesufferedahearingloss.He’sstonedeaf.

stone=completelyShe’sdeafasapost.(informal)

301Anearformusic

Idon’thaveanearformusic.I’mtone-deaf.He’sgotanearforthepiano.Sheplayspianobyear.

302Hearingloudandsoftsounds

Ican’thearthem;they’reoutofearshot.Itwassoquietyoucouldhearapindrop.Thatnoiseisdeafening.Thatnoiseassaultstheear.(formal)Thatnoiseissettingmyteethonedge.Whataracket!

racket=noiseAreyoutryingtowakethedead?Myearsareringing.

303Concerningearsorhearing

Mypleafellondeafears.(cliché)Theyturnedadeafeartoourplea.(idiomatic)There’snonesodeafasthosewhowillnothear.(cliché)Inoneearandouttheother.(cliché)Toheartell,thewholesituationwasawful.

Boy,didIgetanearful.anearful=alongexplanation;ascolding

Prickupyourears!(idiomatic)Keepyourearsopen.Hearnoevil.(cliché)

304Thetasteoffoods

Delicious.Thattastesgreat.Tastesgreat.That’sassweetashoney.That’sassweetassugar.Thattastesterrible.Thattasteslikechicken.Thatturnsmystomach.That’sunfitforhumanconsumption.

305Offeringsomeoneasmallportionoffood

Wouldyoulikeataste?Here.Trysome.Wouldyoulikeasip?

306Expressinghunger

I’mhungry.I’mfamished.

I’mfamished.I’mstarved.I’mravenous.Mymouthiswatering.Thatstewismouthwatering.I’msohungryIcouldeatahorse.(cliché)Icouldeatahorse.(cliché)

307Identifyingsmells

What’sthatsmell?Whatsmells?Doyousmellsomething?What’sthatfragrance?What’sthataroma?What’sthatscent?What’sthatodor?

What’sthatstench?Whatstinks?(informal)Doyousmellgas?Getawhiffofthis!Takeawhiffofthis.Sniffthis.Thatreeks.Thatsmells.Thatsmellstohighheaven!Thatstinkstohighheaven!(informal)Itstinksonice.(slang)

308Physicalresponses

Thatsendsshiversdownmyspine.Itgavemegoosebumps.Itgavemethechills.Itgavemebutterfliesinmystomach.(idiomatic)

309Thesenseoftouch

Itwas(as)softassilk.Itwas(as)hardasarock.Itwas(as)hardasstone.Thefishfeltslimy.

310Difficultieswithseeing

I’masblindasabat.(cliché)Ican’tseeathingwithoutmyglasses.Ican’tquitemakeitout.

311Concerninggoodvision

Ihavegoodeyesight.Ihaveexcellentvision.Ihave20/20vision.I’vegotagoodeyeforcolor.I’vegotaneyeforcomposition.

312Concerningvisionandbelief

Ican’tbelievemyeyes.Myeyesbetrayme.(formal)Domyeyesdeceiveme?There’snonesoblindasthosewhowillnotsee.(cliché)

HealthandAppearance

313Whensomeoneisingoodhealth

Hisdoctorgavehimacleanbillofhealth.acleanbillofhealth=agoodreportonone’shealth

He’sthepictureofhealth.He’sinthepink.Helooksgreat.He’slookinggood.He’sintopform.He’satthetopofhisform.Icouldn’tbebetter.Ifeellikeamilliondollars.Ifeellikeamillionbucks.Shelookslikeamilliondollars.Shelookslikeamillionbucks.He’sbright-eyedandbushy-tailed.(idiomatic)I’msoundasadollar.(cliché)

I’mfreshasadaisy.(cliché)She’shealthyasahorse.(cliché)She’sfitasafiddle.(cliché)

314Observingthatsomeonelooksdisorderly

Youlooktired.Youlooklikeyouneedsomesleep.Youlookdreadful.Youlookterrible.

Youlooklikehell.(mildlyvulgar)Youlookasight.You’reasight.Lookwhatthecatdraggedin.(informal)Youlooklikesomethingthecat

draggedin.(informal)Youlooklikeyou’vebeentohellandback.(informal)Youlooklikeyou’vebeenthroughawar.

Youlooklikeyou’vegonethroughthewringer.

315Whensomeonelooksverybad

Youcouldstopatruck.(informal)Youcouldstopaclock.(informal)Thatfacecouldstopaclock.(informal)Areyouhavingabadhairday?(informal)You’reasuglyassin.(informal)

316Inquiringaboutsomeone’shealthorwell-being

AreyouOK?AreyoufeelingOK?Areyouallright?Doyoufeelallright?

317Whensomeonedoesnotlookwell

Youdon’tlookwell.

Youdon’tlookwell.Youdon’tlooktoogood.(informal)Youdon’tlooksogood.(informal)You

looklikedeath.Youlooklikedeathwarmedover.Youlookgreenaroundthegills.Youlookalittlepeaked.Youlookflushed.Youlookpale.You’repale.You’rewhiteasaghost.

Sickness

318Concerningallergies

I’mallergictosulfa.I’mallergicto=Ihaveanallergyto,Ican’ttolerate

I’mallergictopenicillin.I’mallergictocats.

I’mallergictodogs.I’mallergictopollen.I’mallergictodust.

I’mallergictodust.I’mallergictobees.I’mallergictobeestings.I’mallergictochocolate.I’mallergictonuts.I’mallergictoshrimp.I’mallergictostrawberries.Ican’thavechocolate.Ican’teatstrawberries.Ican’tdrinkmilk.Ican’thavedairyproducts.Ican’tdigestmilk.I’mlactoseintolerant.I’monagluten-freediet.Ihavehayfever.Dairyproductsmakemebreakoutinarash.MyIDbraceletlistsmyallergies.

ID=identificationIhaveanenvironmentalillness.

319Allergicproblemswiththenoseandbreathing

Myallergiesareactingup.Mysinusesareactingup.Mysinusesarebotheringme.Mysinusesarecongested.Mysinusesache.Mynoseisclogged.Mynoseisstufledup.Mynoseiscongested.Ican’tbreathe.

320Whensomeonesneezes

Blessyou.Godblessyou.Gesundheit.(German)

321Allergicproblemswiththeeyes

Myeyesareswollen.Myeyesarepuffy.Myeyesitch.Myeyesareitchy.

322Allergicproblemswiththeskin

Myskinisbreakingout.I’mbreakingout.I’mbreakingoutinhives.IbreakoutwhenIeatchocolate.MyskinitcheswheneverIeatshrimp.

323Expressinggeneralfeelingsofillness

I’msick.Ifeelsick.

I’msickasadog.(informal)Ifeelfunny.Ifeelawful.Ifeeldownrightawful.Ifeelterrible.Ifeellousy.Ifeelrotten.Ifeellikehell.(mildlyvulgar)

324Expressingmilddiscomfortowingtoillness

Idon’tfeelwell.Idon’tfeelsowell.Idon’tfeelquiteright.Ifeelill.I’mnotfeelingmyself.I’mfeelingundertheweather.I’malittleundertheweather.I’mfeelingalittledowninthemouth.

325Whenyoufeellikevomiting

Ifeelsicktomystomach.I’msicktomystomach.Ifeelnauseous.Ifeellikethrowingup.(informal)IthinkI’mgoingtothrowup.(informal)I

thinkI’mgoingtovomit.I’mgoingtobarf.(slang)

tobarf=tovomitIthinkI’mgoingtobesick.

tolosemylunch=tovomit

326Describingapaininthehead

Ihaveaheadache.Myheadhurts.Myheadiskillingme.I’vegotasplittingheadache.Myheadisthrobbing.Myheadispounding.There’sahammeringinsidemyhead.Ihaveamigraine.Ihaveanexcruciatingheadache.

327Describingdizziness

I’mdizzy.Theroomisspinning.I’msodizzyIcan’tstandup.I’msodizzyIhavetositdown.

328Describingbeingexhaustedorwornout

I’mexhausted.Ineedsomerest.Ineedanap.Ineedtotakeadayoff.Ineedadayoff.Ineedavacation.Myget-up-and-gohasgotupandleft.(informal)get-up-and-go=energy;

vitality

329Offeringcaretoasickperson

CanIgetyouaglassofwater?Doyouwantaglassofwater?Wouldyoulikeaglassofwater?Wouldaglassofwaterhelp?Wouldyouliketoliedown?Wanttoliedown?Wouldyoulikesomeaspirin?

aspirin=Tylenol,Advil,ibuprofen,etc.Wantsomeaspirin?ShouldIcalladoctor?Haveyouseenadoctor?

330Concerningcatchingadisease

Isitcatching?Areyoucontagious?Don’tgiveittome.Idon’twanttocatchit.Youneedtorelax.You’vebeenrunningaroundtoomuch.Yourresistanceisdown.It’sbeengoingaround.

331Questionsforthehospitalpatient

Havetheyfiguredoutwhat’swrong?What’stheprognosis?

theprognosis=thepredictionforthefutureoutcomeofanillnessHowlongwillyoubehere?Whendoyougettogohome?Whenareyougoinghome?Whenareyoubeingreleased?Isthereanythingyouneed?Doyouneedanything?IsthereanythingIcando?

IsthereanythingIcando?CanIgetyouanything?ShouldIcallforthenurse?Isthefoodasbadastheysay?How’sthefood?How’syourdoctor?

332Explainingthatyourhealthisimproving

I’mimproving.I’mgettingbetter.I’mgettingoverit.I’mgettingbackonmyfeet.I’mgettingbackonmylegs.I’mgettingbacktonormal.I’mbouncingback.I’montheroadtorecovery.I’moutofthewoods.Thingsarelookingup.I’vehitbottomandthingsarelookingup.I’mbetternow.I’mbetterthanIwas.

333Explainingthatyouarereceivingmedicalcare

Istillhavetogobacktothedoctorforafollow-up.I’mstillunderadoctor’scare.I’mstillseeingadoctor.I’mintherapy.I’mstillseeingatherapist.

334Explainingthatyouarecuredofahealthproblem

I’mwellnow.I’mallbetter.I’mcompletelyoverit.I’masgoodasnew.It’slikeitneverhappened.Ifeellikeanewperson.I’vegotanewleaseonlife.

FAMILYMATTERS

HomeLife

335Describingfamilyrelationships

You’rejustlikeyourmother.Youtakeafteryourfather.Youareyourfatheralloveragain.

It’slikeI’mtalkingtoyourmother.Shelooksjustlikehermother.Shelooksjustlikehermotherdidatthatage.She’sthepictureofhermother.Shefavorshermother.He’sthespitandimageofhisgrandfather.He’sthespittingimageofhisgrandfather.He’sgothisfather’sfeatures.She’sgothermother’snose.

=Hernoseisverymuchlikehermother’snose.SheresemblesherAuntMartha.He’sachipofftheoldblock.She’sfollowinginherfather’sfootsteps.Likefather,likeson.Likemother,likedaughter.He’sarealmama’sboy.She’sarealdaddy’sgirl.She’sdaddy’slittlegirl.

336Familysolidarity

Weare(all)family.Bloodrunsthickerthanwater.Howcanyoudothattoyourownfleshandblood?Thefamilythatpraystogetherstaystogether.(cliché)

337Askingaboutameal

Whendoweeat?What’stoeat?What’sforsupper?Whatarewehaving?

338Announcingameal

Dinner’salmostready.It’salmostdone.Itwillbeonthetableinaminute.It’salmostready.(It’s)timetoeat.Dinner’sready.Soup’son!(informal)

=Dinner’sready!

339Instructionsgiventochildreninthekitchen

Don’tsitonthecounter.Don’teatthat;you’llspoilyourdinner.Don’tstandinfrontoftherefrigeratorwiththedooropen.Watchout;it’shot!Don’tdrinkmilkoutofthecarton!Don’tdrinkmilkoutofthejug!Wouldyousetthetable?Gositdown;supper’sready.Gotellyourfathersupper’sready.Callthefamilytodinner.Calleveryonetothetable.

340Blessingthefood

Sarah,wouldyousaygrace?Whowantstosaygrace?Foldyourhands.

341Secondservings

Couldyoupourmesomemoremilk?Moremilk,please.Adropmorewine,please.

CouldIhaveseconds,please?MayIhaveseconds,please?Wouldyoulikesomemoreofthis?Isthereanymoreofthis?What’sfordessert?

342Instructingchildrenongoodtablemanners

Don’tputyourelbowsonthetable.Don’ttalkwithyourmouthfull.Don’treadatthetable.NoTVduringdinner.

TV=televisionWipeyourmouth.Putyournapkinonyourlap.Putyournapkininyourlap.

343Doingthedishes

Andrew,pleaseclearthetable.Pleaseputyourdishesinthesink.

dishes=allcrockeryandutensilsPleasecarryyourowndishestothekitchen.It’syourturntodothedishes.

It’syourturntodothedishes.It’syourturntoclearthetable.I’llscrapeandyouload(thedishwasher).Whoseturnisittodothedishes?I’llwashandyoudry.

344Askingtoleavethedinnertableearly

MayIpleaseleavethetable?(saidbyachild)

MayIbeexcused?(saidbyachild)

DoyoumindifIleavethetable?(saidbyanadult)

I’llhavetoexcusemyself.(saidbyanadult)

Wouldyouexcuseme?

345Instructingchildrentofinisheating

Finishyourdinner.Youhavetoeateverything.Youhavetoeateverythingthatyouserveyourself.Youhavetoeatsomeofeverything.Youhavetocleanupyourplate.Ifyoudon’teatyourvegetables,youwon’tgetanydessert.Ifyoudon’teatyourdinner,youwon’tgetanydessert.TherearestarvingchildreninAfrica.

Africa=Bosnia,Asia,SouthAmerica,etc.

346Concerningaradioorstereo

Turnthestereodown.Turnthestereooff.Turntheradiooff.Let’sfindadifferentstation.Whatstationisthis?Whatdoyouwanttohear?

347Concerningfurnitureorcarpeting

Don’twearyourshoesonthegoodcarpet.Don’tsitonthegoodfurniture.Don’tputyourfeetonthefurniture.Keepyourfeetoff(of)thefurniture.

348Concerningtelevision

What’sonTV?TV=television

What’son?What’sontonight?What’sonthetube?

thetube=thetelevision(picturetube)What’sonchannelfive?Whatdoyouwanttowatch?Whatdoyouwanttosee?Whatareyouwatching?WhereistheTVguide?WhereistheTVlisting?Isthisanygood?Isthereanythingon?Thereanythinggoodon?

349Changingthetelevisionchannel

Findachannelandstickwithit.(informal)Stickwithonechannel.(informal)Sticktoonechannel.(informal)Stopflippingchannels.(informal)Changethechannel.

Let’schangethechannel.

Handmetheremotecontrol.Whereistheremote(control)?Givemetheremote.

350Managingatelevisionset

You’resittingtooclosetotheTV.Can’tyougetabetterpicture?TurntheTVoffifyou’renotwatchingit.Turnitup,please.Pleaseadjusttherabbitears.

rabbitears=atypeofindoortelevisionantennaPleaseadjusttheantenna.Turnitdown.Couldyoupleaseturnitdown?PleaseturndowntheTV.Turnitoff.

351Concerningcomputers

You’realwaysonthecomputer.AreyouonFacebook?

Facebook=MySpace,Twitter,LinkedIn,etc.Ineedtocheckmye-mail.

e-mail=Facebook,Ebayaccount,etc.Ineedtosendane-mail.Lookituponline.IlookedituponGoogle.

Google=Yahoo,Wikipedia,etc.Igoogledit.(informal)Didyouseethatfunnyvideoonline?It’suponYouTube.I’llsendyouthelink.

352Managingacomputer

What’syourlog-on?What’sthepassword?I’veforgottenthepassword.Remembertologoff.Myfilesareonmylaptop.

laptop=computer,notebook,flashdrive,etc.Iputallmyphotosuponline.

online=onFlickr,onShutterfly,etc.I’veuploadedallmyvideos.Backupyourfiles.Doyouhaveaflashdrive?

353Takinganap

I’mgoingtotakeanap.I’mgoingtotakeacatnap.

acatnap=ashortnapI’mgoingtotakeasnooze.

asnooze=anapI’mgoingtogetsomeshut-eye.

someshut-eye=somesleepI’mgoingtocatchfortywinks.

fortywinks=somesleepI’mgoingtocatchsomeZs.

Zs=snoring=sleep

354Goingtobedandtosleep

I’mofftobed.I’mgoingtobed.It’sbedtime.It’spastmybedtime.I’mgoingtosleep.I’mgoingtohitthesack.(idiomatic)I’mgoingtohitthehay.(idiomatic)I’m

goingtocrash.(slang)IthinkI’llretireforthenight.(formal)IthinkI’ll

saygoodnightnow.

355Sayinggoodnight

Goodnight.Sleeptight.Don’tletthebedbugsbite.

(usuallysaidtoachild)Seeyouinthemorning.Sweetdreams.Pleasantdreams.Sleepwell.Night-night.

(usuallysaidtoachild)Nighty-night.

(usuallysaidtoachild)

356Commandsforadog

Sit.Stay.Rollover.Shakehands.Shake.Playdead.Fetch!Heel.Sic’em.

Sic’em.sic=attack

Come!Comehere.Here,boy!Here,girl!Goodboy!Goodgirl!Baddog!Doyouwanttogooutside?

357Caringforpets

Didyouwalkthedog?Someonehastowalkthedog.Willyoupleaseputthecatout?Thedogwantstogetout.Whereisthegerbil?Theguineapigislooseagain.Pleasecleanthe(cat’s)litter(box)now!Thecat’slitterneedschanging.We’reoutofdogchow.

dogchow=drieddogfood

Education

358Gettingreadytostudyordohomework

Timetocrackthebooks.tocrack=toopen

Timetohitthebooks.tohit=touse

Gottacram.(slang)tocram=tostudyhard;tocramknowledgeintoone’sbrain

Ineedtocramforafinal.(slang)Ineedtoprepforabigtest.(slang)Ihavealotofstudyingtodo.

Ihavetostudy.I’vegottostudy.I’vegotamidtermtomorrow.I’vegotafinalexamtomorrow.I’vegotabigtesttomorrow.I’vegotabigexamtomorrow.

359Talkingtoachild’steacher

I’dliketodiscussmydaughter’sprogress.I’dliketotalkaboutmydaughter’sgrade.Howismydaughterdoinginclass?Mydaughterseemstobehavingtroubleinclass.She’shavingahardtimewithherhomework.WhatcanIdotohelpherathome?

WhatcanIdotohelpherathome?HowcanIhelpherwithherhomework?

360Returningtoschoolafteranabsence

Doyouhaveanotefromhome?Doyouhaveanotefromyourmother?Doyouhaveanotefromyourdoctor?

361Questioningacollegeprofessor

CanIstillgetintoyourcourse?Whattextsarerequired?Whatisthebooklistforthecourse?Isapaperrequiredforthiscourse?Isthereafinalforthiscourse?Isattendancerequiredinthiscourse?Whataretherequirements?Whenareyourofficehours?Whereisyouroffice?

362Askingforclarificationinacollegeclassroom

Couldyouexplainthatagain?

Couldyouexplainthatagain?Idon’tgetit.Pleaseexplain.Pleasegooverthatpartagain.Idon’tunderstand.Istilldon’tunderstand.IdonotunderstandyourEnglish.Pleasespeakmoreplainly.I’mhavingaproblemunderstandingtheTA.

TA=TeachingAssistant

363Askingaboutclassroomexaminations

Whenisthefinal(exam)?Whenisthemidterm?Whatdoyouwantustoknowforthetest?Whatwillthetestcover?Willtherebeareviewsession?Willthetestcoverthewholebook?Willthetesttakethewholeperiod?What’sonthetest?

364Askingaboutaclassroomassignment

HowmanypagesdowehavetoreadforMonday?Howmanypages?Willwehavetoturninourhomework?What’sthereadingassignmentfornexttime?Willtherebeaquiz?What’stheassignmentfortomorrow?Whenistheassignmentdue?

365Askingaboutgrades

CanyoutellmewhatgradeI’mgetting?WouldyoutellmewhatgradeI’mgetting?Doyougradeonacurve?HowmanyAswerethere?What’sthegradingcurve?Iworkedhard,sodon’tIdeserveagoodgrade?CanItalktoyouaboutmygrade?

Children

366Meetingchildren

Andhowareyoutoday?Andwhatisyourname?Howoldareyou?

367Concerningachild’sgrowthanddevelopment

You’vegottensobig!You’regrowingsotall.You’returninginto(quite)alittlelady.You’returninginto(quite)alittlegentleman.Whatabiggirl!My,my!Haven’tyougrown!

368Posingquestionstochildren

Whatgradeareyouin?Howdoyoulikeschool?Doyougotoschoolyet?Howmanyyearstillyou’reinschool?What’syourfavoritesubjectinschool?Haveyoubeenagoodboy?Areyoubeingagoodgirl?Howmanybrothersandsistersdoyouhave?

369Praisingasmallchild

That’sverygood.You’reagoodlittleboy.

You’reagoodlittleboy.You’reagoodlittlegirl.Goodboy!Goodgirl!Bigboy!Whatabiggirl!I’msoproudofyou.Mommy’sproudofyou.Weareveryproudofyou.

370Scoldingachild

Behave.Behaveyourself.Begood.Beagoodgirl.Beagoodboy.That’senoughofthat!

371Encouragingachildtobequiet

Sitdown.Bequiet.Quiet!Let’sbequiet.Shhh!Hush!Notanotherword!Idon’twanttoheara(nother)peepoutofyou!

apeep=asoundIdon’twanttohearasinglepeepoutofyou!

372Askingachildtostopsomebehavior

Stopit.

Stopit.Stopthat.Settledown.That’senoughofthat!Simmerdown.

373Askingachildtoleavethingsalone

Putthatdown.Keepyourhandstoyourself.Lookwithyoureyesnotyourhands.(cliché)Putthataway.Leavethatalone.Don’ttouchthat.Stopplayingwiththat.

374Askingachildtoleavepeoplealone

Don’tbotheryourfatherwhilehe’sdriving.Stoppesteringyourlittlebrother.Keepyourhandstoyourself.Keepyourhandsoffyourlittlebrother.Stopteasingyourlittlesister.

Leavehimalone.Leavehimbe.Lethimbe.

375Makingsureachildunderstands

DoasIsay.DoasIsay,notasIdo.DoasItellyou.DowhatItellyou.Doasyou’retold.Doyouunderstand?Understand?Isthatclear?HaveImademyselfclear?DoImakemyselfclear?DoImakemyselfperfectlyclear?Didyouhearme?Doyouhearme?Doyouhear?

376Concerningachild’suseofgoodmanners

Mindyourmanners.MindyourPsandQs.(idiomatic)Behave.Behaveyourself.Iexpectyoutobeonyourbestbehavior.Actlikealady.Actlikeagentleman.Say“excuseme.”Say“thankyou.”Say“you’rewelcome.”Say“please.”What’sthemagicword?

themagicword=thewordpleaseWhatdoyousay?=Say“please.”

Yes,what?=Say“Yes,sir;Yes,ma’am;orYes,please.”

(Always)remembertosaypleaseandthankyou.

FOODANDDRINK

Restaurants

377Askingforatableatarestaurant

Atableforone.Atablefortwo.Two,please.Iwouldlikeanonsmokingtablefortwo.Ihaveareservation.

378Concerningseatinginarestaurant

Wouldyoulikesmokingornonsmoking?Smokingornonsmoking?Smokingornon?Doyouhaveareservation?Howmanyinyourparty?Tableforfour?Partyoffour?

party=groupFour?We’llhaveatablereadyinjustafewminutes.It’llbejustafewminutes.There’saten-minutewait.WehaveatablereadyforSmith,partyoffour.TableforSmith,partyoffour.

TableforSmith,partyoffour.Smith,partyoffour.YourwaiterwillbeAlfredo.Enjoyyourmeal.(cliché)Enjoy.(informal)

379Concerningsmokinginarestaurant

Isthisanonsmokingrestaurant?Doyouhaveanonsmokingsection?I’dlikethesmokingsection.I’dlikethenonsmokingsection.Pleaseseatmeasfaraspossiblefromthesmokingsection.Smoking.Nonsmoking.

380Explainingthatsomeoneelsewilljoinyouatarestaurant

Anotherpartywillbesittinghere.Wearewaitingforanothercouple.Myfriendwillbealongshortly.Iamexpectingsomeoneelse.I’mwaitingforsomeoneelse.

381Greetingsfromawaiterorwaitress

Hello.Sorrytokeepyouwaiting.Howareyoutoday?Myname’sSandy.I’llbeyourwaitressthisevening.Myname’sSandy.I’llbeyourserverthisevening.I’mBobby.I’myourserver.

382Questionsawaiterorwaitressmightask

Areyouwaitingforsomeone?Willsomeonebejoiningyou?Goodevening,wouldyoucareforadrink?Wouldyouliketostartwithacocktail?Wouldyoulikesomethingtodrinkfirst?Wouldyouliketoorderadrink?

Wouldyouliketoorderadrink?CanIgetyousomethingtodrink?Wouldanyonelikecoffee?coffee?Creamorsugar?Wouldyouliketoseeamenu?Wouldyoucaretoseethewinelist?Areyoureadytoorder?Doyouneedafewmoreminutes(todecidewhatyouwant)?Wouldyouliketoseethemenuagainfordessert?

383Recitingspecialmealoffersfortheday

Letmetellyouaboutourspecialstoday.Thespecialofthedayisroastbeefandbrowngravywithpotatoesandtwo

vegetables.Thespecialsarelistedontheboard.Thespecialsareontherightside(ofthemenu).

384Whenarestaurantisoutofsomeitem

I’msorry,we’reoutofthat.Sorry,it’sallgone.Thechefinformsmewe’reoutofthat.(formal)

385Questionsaskedofarestaurantcustomer

Howwouldyoulikethatprepared?Howwouldyoulikeyoursteakprepared?Howwouldyoulikeyoursteak?Howwouldyoulikethatdone?Howwouldyoulikethat?Whatkindofpotatoeswouldyoulike?Mashed,boiled,hashbrowns,orFrenchfries?Wouldyoulikeabakedpotato,fries,orrice?Thatcomeswithasalad.Wouldyoulikesouporsaladwiththat?Souporsalad?Thesoupofthedayissplitpeaorchickennoodle.OurdressingsareRanch,Italian,ThousandIsland,Greek,andhouse.

house=thestandarddressingusedinthisrestaurantWouldyoulikesomefreshgroundpepper?Saywhen.

=Speakwhenyouhavehadenough.

386Requestingsomethingtodrinkatarestaurant

coffee,please.I’dlikesomecoffee.I’dlikesomedecaf.

decaf=decaffeinatedcoffeeI’dlikeanespresso.I’dliketea.Justcoffeeforthemoment.Justcoffeefornow.Blackcoffee.coffeewithcream.Creamandsugar.Canyougetmeaglassofwater?Couldwehavesomewater,please?

387Requestingattentionfromawaiterorwaitress

Canyoucomeherewhenyouhaveasecond?Oh,waiter!Oh,miss!Excuseme,ma’am.Pardonme.

Pardonme.Excuseme.

388Explainingtoawaiterorwaitressthatyouarenotreadytoorder

Weneedacouplemoreminutestodecide.Ineedafewmoreminutestodecide.CouldIseeamenu,please?I’mnotreadytoorderyet.Ihaven’tfiguredoutwhatIwantyet.Ihaven’tdecidedyet.

389Indicatingreadinesstoorderamealatarestaurant

We’rereadytoorder.Canweordernow?Canyoutakeourordersnow?We’reready.

390Askingaboutspecificitemsonarestaurantmenu

Whatarethespecials?Whatisthespecialoftheday?Doyouhaveanyspecials?Whatwouldyousuggest?

Whatwouldyousuggest?Doyouhaveanyrecommendations?What’sgoodtoday?Whatdoesthatcomewith?Whatcomeswiththat?Doesthatcomewithasalad?Whatkindofdressingdoyouhave?Doyouhaveanylo-caldressing?

lo-cal=lowcalorieWhat’sthesoupoftheday?Isthatpreparedwithmeat?Istheremeatinthat?Doyouhavevegetariandishes?

391Requestingthatcertainfoodsnotbeservedtoyouinarestaurant

Nomayo(nnaise),please.mayo(nnaise)=nuts,onions,garlic,lettuce,bacon,pickles,etc.

Nomayo.Holdthemayo.Leaveoffthemayo.

392Concerningfoodallergieswhenorderingatarestaurant

I’dlikethatwithoutMSG,please.MSG=monosodiumglutamate,typicallyusedinChinesefood

DoesthiscontainMSG?Doesthiscontainnuts?Icannottoleratenuts.I’mallergic.Nonuts.I’mallergic.NoMSG,please.I’mallergictodairyproducts.I’mallergictowheat.

I’mallergictowheat.

393Tellinghowasteakistobecookedinarestaurant

I’dlikemysteakwelldone.welldone=completelycooked

I’dlikemysteakrare.rare=partiallycooked

I’dlikemysteakmedium.medium=betweenrareandwelldone

Pleasemakesureit’swell-done.I’dlikemysteakmedium-well.Iwantthesteakthoroughlycooked.I’dlikemysteakmedium-rare.CanIgetitrare?

394Requestingadditionalservingsinarestaurant

Ineedmorecoffee.CouldIhavemorecoffee,please?CouldIhavesomemorebread,please?CouldIhavesomemorewater,please?Morebread,please.(informal)CouldIhavesomemorebutter?

395Orderingwineinarestaurant

MayIseethewinelist?CouldIseeyourwinelist?I’dlikeaglassofwine.I’dlikeacarafeofwine.We’dliketoorderabottleofwine.

396Makingacomplaintinarestaurant

Ican’teatthis.Thismeatistoofatty.Thismeatistootough.Thismeatisn’tfresh.Thisfishisn’tfresh.Ididn’torderthis.Thesevegetablesarehardlycookedatall.Thevegetablesareovercookedandmushy.Thisiscold.Canyoutakeitbacktothekitchen?CouldIspeakwiththemanager,please?

397Askingaboutthelocationofarestroominapublicbuilding

IstheresomewhereIcouldwashmyhands?Wherearethepublicrestrooms?Whereisthewashroom?Whereisthemen’sroom?Whereistheladies’room?WherewouldIfindtherestrooms?Where’sthejohn?(informal)thejohn=thetoilet;arestroom

398Orderingfoodtobetakenout

Doyouhavecarryout?Iwouldliketoordersomethingtocarryout.CanIgetthattogo?Togo,please.

399Requeststohaveuneatenfoodwrappedsoitcanbetakenhome

Couldyouwrapthis,please?Couldwehaveadoggiebag?

adoggiebag=aspecialbagorcontainerfortakinguneatenfoodhomefromarestaurant(asifitwerebeingtakenhometofeedthedog)

I’dliketotaketherest.I’dliketotaketheresthome.

400Whenyourfoodisbroughttothetableinarestaurant

Here’syourorder.Thereyougo.Careful,theplateishot.Enjoyyourmeal.Enjoy.(informal)

401Askingforadiner’sopinionofameal

Ihopethateverythingissatisfactory.Iseverythingallright?IseverythingOK?Howareyoudoing?Areyouenjoyingyourmeal?How’syoursteak?How’sthatsteak?

402Awaiterorwaitressseekingtobeoffurtherservice

Morecoffee?IsthereanythingIcangetforyou?IsthereanythingIcangetyou?Isthereanythingelse?IsthereanythingelseIcangetforyouthisevening?(formal)Isthereanything

elseIcangetforyou?AnythingelseIcandoforyou?

403Awaiterorwaitresso?eringdessert

Wouldyoucarefordessert?Wouldyouliketotryoneofourdesserts?

Wouldyouliketotryoneofourdesserts?Wouldyouliketoseethedessertmenu?Wouldyouliketoseethemenuagain?Letmeshowyouthedesserttray.

404Askingforthebillinarestaurant

CouldIhavethebill?CouldIhavethecheck?We’dlikethebill,please.Check,please.Separatechecks,please.DoIpayyouorthecashier?Doyoutakethis(creditcard)?CanIhaveareceipt,please?MayIhaveareceipt,please?(formal)Wearereadytoleavenow.Alltogether.Allonone(check).

405Aboutpaymentforamealinarestaurant

Isthisallononebill?Separatechecks?Youcanpayattheregister.

Youcanpayattheregister.Youcanpayme.I’lltakeitwhenyou’reready.

406Concerningthepaymentofabillinarestaurant

Thereseemstobeamistake.Wedidnotorderthisitem.Doesthisincludethetip?Doesthisincludeagratuity?Isagratuityincluded?Keepthechange.

Bars

407Abartenderaskingwhatyouwant

What’syours?What’llyouhave?MayIhelpyou?What’llitbe,friend?(informal)Another(ofthesame)?

408Askingwhat’savailableatabar

What(beer)doyouhaveontap?ontap=readytobedrawnfromakeg

Whatkindofbeerdoyouhave?Whatbeersyagot?(informal)What(beer)doyouhaveondraft?

ondraft=readytobedrawnfromakegWhatkindsofwinedoyouhave?Doyouhaveanyimportedbeer?

409Requestingaglassorbottleofbeer

I’llhaveabeer.I’llhave=Pleasegiveme,Giveme,I’lltake,Makemine,Gimme,Doyouhave(?)

I’llhaveaBud.Bud=Miller’s,Budweiser,Heineken,Mich(elob),SpecialExport,Coors,etc.

I’llhaveadraft.adraft=abeerdrawnfromakeg,orabottleofbeerwith“Draft”inthebrandname

Makeitacoldone.acoldone=acoldbeer

Pourmeabeer.(informal)Givemeabeer.(informal)

410Variousrequestsfordrinksfromabartender

I’dlike(some)coffee.I’dlike=CanIpleasehave(?),I’lltake,Pleasegetme

I’dlike(some)coffeewithcream.I’dlike(some)coffeewithsugar.I’dlike(some)coffeewithcreamandsugar.I’dlikeaCoke.I’dlikesomeCoke.I’dlikeadietcola.I’dlikeamineralwater.I’dlikeabeer.I’dlikeaglassofbeer.I’dlikeasteinofbeer.I’dlikeapitcherofbeer.I’dlikealightbeer.I’dlikeadarkbeer.

I’dlikeadarkbeer.I’dlikeadomesticbeer.I’dlikeadraftbeer.I’dlikeanale.I’dlikealager.I’dlikeaglassofwine.I’dlikesomechampagne.I’dlikeascotch.I’dlikeascotchontherocks.I’dlikeawhiskeywithsoda.I’dlikeaginandtonic.I’dlikeaginandtonicwithatwist.

411Specialinstructionstoabartender

Makeitdry.=IpreferadryMartinioradrywine.

Holdthecherry.Givemeanother.I’llhaveanother(one)ofthesame.

thesame=thesameaspreviouslyordered

I’llhavethesame.Twoolives,please.I’dlikeitontherocks.

ontherocks=withicecubesMakethatontherocks.

412Buyingdrinkswithfriends

I’mbuying.Letmegetthis(one).It’sonme.

onme=onmyaccount=I’mpayingThenextroundisonme.

round=anorderofdrinksforeveryoneNo,no,thisone’sonme!Thisismyround.Thisround’sonme.It’sonme.I’mbuying.Who’sbuying?Wanttorunatab?

atab=arunningaccount

413Chargesfordrinksatabar

That’llbesixbucks.Doyouwishtopaymenow?Wouldyouliketostartatab?You’verunupquiteatab.Youreallyhavetopaysomethingvonyourbill.

414Expressionsusedwithfriendsatabaraskingaboutdrinks

Whatarewehaving?Doyouallwanttogetapitcher?Anyoneforapizza?Nameyourpoison.What’llyouhave?What’syours?Careforanother?

415Expressionsaboutdrinkingadditionaldrinks

I’mgoingtodrownmysorrows.Let’shaveanotherround.Let’shaveanightcap.

anightcap=afinaldrinkoftheeveningLet’sknockbackanother.Let’stossoneback.

416Askingforasmalldrinkofbeveragealcohol

I’llhavejustanip.anip=aswallow

I’llhavejustasip.I’llhaveashot.

ashot=aswallow;ajiggerGivemeaswig.

aswig=aswallowGivemeahit.

ahit=aswallowGivemeajigger.

ajigger=1.5ounces;a1.5-ounceglass

417Encouragingsomeonetodrink

That’llputhaironyourchest.(idiomatic)=Thedrinkisstrong,anditwillinvigorateyou.

Let’stieoneon.(slang)=Let’sgetdrunk.

That’llknockyoursocksoff.(idiomatic)=Thedrinkisverystrong,anditwillshockyoursystem.

This’llwetyourwhistle.(idiomatic)=Thisdrinkwillquenchyourthirst.

Let’sgetdowntosomeseriousdrinking.(informal)=Let’sgetdrunktogether.Haveahairofthedogthatbityou.(cliché)=Havesomemoreofwhatmade

youdrunk.Let’spaintthetownred.(cliché)=Let’scelebrate.Partydown!(slang)Partyhearty!(slang)Partyhardy!(slang)

418Askingaboutthetimethatabarcloses

Isitclosingtimealready?Lastcallalready?

lastcall=theannouncementofthelastopportunitytopurchaseadrinkbeforeclosingtime

Whendowehavetobeoutofhere?When’slastcall?

419Encouragingsomeonetofinishadrink

Drainit.Drinkup.Haveonefortheroad.Pounditandlet’sgo.(slang)

420Drinkingtoasts

Here’slookingatyou.Here’smudinyoureye.Here’stoyou.Here’stous.Toyourhealth!ToJohnV.Jones!Cheers!Downthehatch!Bottomsup!Drinkup!Tolife!

421Whensomeonedrinkstoomuch

Ithinkthatthisisyourlastone.Ithinkyou’vehadenough.That’sallforyou,Bud.(informal)Haven’tyouhadaboutenough?Doyoureallythinkyououghttohaveanotherone?

422Statingthatsomeoneisdrunk

He’sfeelingnopain.(informal)He’sdrunkasaskunk.(informal)He’sthreesheetstothewind.(informal)He’sstonedrunk.

He’stanked.(slang)He’spickled.(slang)He’sasdrunkasalord.(informal)

HomeCooking

423Statingthatyouarehungry

I’mhungry.I’mfamished.I’mstarved.I’mravenous.Mymouthiswatering.Thatstewismouthwatering.I’msohungryIcouldeatahorse.Icouldeatahorse.(cliché)I’m(just)dyingofhunger.

424Askingwhenamealwillbeready

Whendoweeat?When’schow?(slang)When’sdinner?When’ssupper?

Whenwillsupperbeready?

425Askingwhatisfordinner

What’stoeat?What’sforsupper?Whatarewehaving?

426Statingwhenfoodwillbeready

Dinner’salmostready.It’salmostdone.Itwillbeonthetableinaminute.It’salmostready.(It’s)timetoeat.It’stimetositdown.Dinner’sready.Pleasebeseatedatthetable.Dinnerisserved.(formal)Soup’son!(informal)

=Dinner’sready!

Offeringsomeoneabitoffood

Wouldyoulikeataste?Howaboutabite?Wouldyoulikeabite?Wantataste?

428Blessingthefood

Whowantstosaygrace?Shallwesaygrace?(formal)Shallwepray?(formal)Let’spray.Letuspray.(formal)

429Concerningpassingfoodatthetable

Pleasepassmethesalt.Pleasepassthepepper.Pleasepassthebutter.Couldyoupasstherollsaround?Couldyoustarttherollsaround?Couldyoustarttherollsgoingaround?CouldIhavesomegravy?Wouldyoulikethesaltandpepper?Wouldyoucareforthebutter?Wouldyoucareforsomebutter?Pardonmyboardinghousereach.(informal)boardinghousereach=alongand

somewhatimpolitereachforsomethingatthetable

430Concerningadditionalservingsoffood

Couldyoupourmesomemoremilk?Moremilk,please.CouldIhaveseconds,please?MayIhaveseconds,please?Wouldyoulikesomemoreofthis?Isthereanymoreofthis?What’sfordessert?

431Enforcinggoodtablemanners

Don’tputyourelbowsonthetable.Don’ttalkwithyourmouthfull.Don’treadatthetable.NoTVduringdinner.

TV=televisionNotextingatthetable.Turnthatcellphoneoff.Wipeyourmouth.Putyournapkinonyourlap.Putyournapkininyourlap.

432Cleaningupafterameal

Canyouhelpmewiththedishes?Pleasecarryyourowndishestothekitchen.I’llwashandyoudry.I’llscrapeandyouload(thedishwasher).

433Excusingoneselffromthetable

DoyoumindifIleavethetable?(saidbyanadult)

I’llhavetoexcusemyself.(saidbyanadult)

MayIpleaseleavethetable?(saidbyachild)

MayIbeexcused?(saidbyachild)

434Encouragingchildrentoeat

Finishyourfood.Bequietandeatyourdinner.Bequietandeatyourfood.Youhavetocleanupyourplate.Ifyoudon’teatyourvegetables,youwon’tgetanydessert.TherearestarvingchildreninAfrica.(cliché)Africa=Bosnia,Asia,South

America,etc.

SHOPPING

StoresandShops

435Askingaboutstorehours

Whenareyouopen?Whendoyouopen?Howlateareyouopen(today)?Whatareyourhours?Areyouopenonweekends?AreyouopenonSaturday?Areyouopenafter?ve?

436Asalespersongreetingacustomer

MayIhelpyou?CanIhelpyou?CanIhelpyoufindsomething?CanIhelpyouwithsomething?CanIshowyousomething?Areyoubeinghelped?Issomeonewaitingonyou?IsthereanythingIcanhelpyouwith?IsthereanythingIcanhelpyouwithtoday?IsthereanythingIcanhelpyoufindtoday?

437Asalespersonofferinghelptoacustomer

Ifyouneedme,I’llberighthere.Ifyouneedanyhelp,I’llberighthere.Ifyouneedme,myname’sLinda.Ifyouneedanyhelp,myname’sLinda.IfIcanhelpyoufindanything,I’llberightoverhere.IfIcanhelpyou,justletmeknow.There’samirroroverthere.

Thechangingroomsareoverthere.Onlysixitemsinthedressingroomatatime.Onlysixitemsallowedinthedressingrooms.

438Questionsasalespersonmightaskacustomer

Whatareyouinterestedin?Areyoulookingforsomethinginparticular?Areyoulookingforanythinginparticular?Doyouhaveanythinginmind?Doyouhavesomethingspecificinmind?Doyouknowwhatyouwant?Whatsizedoyouneed?Doyouknowwhatsizeyouare?

Offeringmerchandisetoacustomer

I’vegotjustyoursize.I’vegotjustwhatyou’relookingfor.I’vegotexactlywhatyouneed.Ihavejustthething.

justthething=exactlytherightthingHaveIgotsomethingforyou!(informal)MayIsuggestthis?That’sonsalethisweek.

Offeringadditionalhelptoacustomer

Doyouneedanythingtogowiththat?IsthereanythingelseIcaninterestyouin?IsthereanythingelseIcangetforyou?IsthereanythingelseIcanhelpyouwith?WhatelsecanIdoforyou?

441Findingthingsinadepartmentstore

Whereisthemen’sshop?Whereisladies’wear?

ladies’wear=women’sclothingdepartmentWhereistheshoedepartment?Whatfloorisfurnitureon?Wherearethechildren’sclothes?Where’schildren’sclothes?(informal)WherecanIfindchildren’sclothes?Doyousellapplianceshere?Whereisthecreditdepartment?Isthereapublicrestroomhere?

442Shoppingforsomethingatadepartmentstore

I’mlookingforsomethingformywife.I’mlookingforsomethingformyhusband.It’sagift.Ineedasize34.Idon’tknowmysize.Canyoumeasureme?Wouldyoumeasuremywaist,please?Ineedabelt.Ineedsomejeans.Ineedapairofpants.Ineedsocks.Ineedapairofsocks.Ineedgloves.Ineedapairofgloves.Ineedabathingsuit.Ineedaswimsuit.

443Whenyouarejustlookingandnotbuying

I’mjustbrowsing.Thankyou,I’mjustlooking.

Thankyou,I’mjustlooking.Justlooking.

444Choosingmerchandiseinastore

Ijustcan’tmakeupmymind.I’mnotsurewhichIlike.Whichdoyouprefer?

445Questionsacustomermightaskinastore

Doyouhavethisinblue?Doyouhavethisinsuede?Doyouhavethisinwool?Doyouhavethisinalargersize?Doyouhavethisinasmallersize?Doyouhavesomethingabitlessexpensive?Doyouhaveanythinglessexpensive?Gotanythingcheaper?(informal)Doyouhavethisinstock?Doyouhaveanymoreofthese?Doyouhaveashirttomatchthis?Doyouhaveashirttomatch?

446Whenacustomerwantstotryonclothing

I’dliketotrythison.Iwanttotrythison.CanItrytheseon?Whereisthefittingroom?HowmanyitemscanItakeinthedressingroom?

447Encouragingremarksasalespersonmightmaketoacustomer

Thatlooksniceonyou.Thatlooksgreatonyou.That’syourcolor.Thisisyou!It’syou!That’syou!Thatflattersyou.That’sveryflattering.Thatreallyflattersyourfigure.

448Askinghowapurchasewillbepaidfor

Howwouldyouliketopayforthis?Howdoyouwanttopayforthis?

Howdoyouwanttopayforthis?Wouldyouliketoputthatonlayaway?

layaway=apurchasemethodwhereadepositismadeandthemerchandiseisheldbythemerchantuntilthebalanceispaid

Willthatbecashorcredit?Willthatbecashorcharge?Whatmethodofpaymentwillyouuse?Doyouhaveourstorecard?Wouldyouliketosignupforourstorecard?

449Whenasalespersoncannotsupplyexactlywhatiswanted

Wedon’thavethatinyoursize.Wedon’thaveitinthatcolor.We’reoutofthatitem.Icanback-orderthatforyou.Icanissueyouaraincheck.Itwillbedeliveredtothestorewithinaweek.Wecannotifyyoubyphoneore-mail.Youcanorderitfromourwebsite.

450Whenmerchandiseisnotsatisfactory

It’stootight.It’stooloose.

It’stooloose.Idon’tlikethecolor.I’llhavetokeeplookingforwhatIwant.It’salittlepricey.

pricey=expensiveIt’stooexpensive.

451Askingaboutpaymentplansinastore

Isitonsale?Willitbeonsalesoon?Isitgoingonsalesoon?CanIputitonlayaway?

layaway=apurchasemethodwhereadepositismadeandthemerchandiseisheldbythemerchantuntilthebalanceispaid

Canyouholditforme?Willyouholditforme?Doyouhavealayawayplan?Doyoutakecredit?CanIapplyforacreditcard?Whatfinancingoptionsdoyouhave?

452Gettingapurchasegiftwrappedinastore

CanIgetitgiftwrapped?MayIgetitgiftwrapped?CanIgetthisgiftwrapped?Whereisthegift-wrapcounter?Isthereachargeforgiftwrapping?Canyougiftwrapthat?Wouldyoupleasegiftwrapthat?

TELEPHONESANDMOBILEDEVICES

AnsweringtheTelephone

453Receivingcommunicationsonyourmobiledevice

That’smyphone.It’smyringtone.I’mbeingtexted.DoyoumindifItakethiscall?Ineedtotakethiscall.Sorry,doyoumindifItakethis?I’lljustbeaminute.Ijustneedtosendareply.Ineedtotextherback.

454Answeringthetelephone—residential

Hello.Smithresidence.Hello,Smithresidence.Yo!(informal)Yeah!(informal)Yes.JohnJones.Hello,thisisJohnJones(speaking).JohnJones,mayIhelpyou?

JohnJones,mayIhelpyou?John.John,mayIhelpyou?

455Answeringthetelephone—business

CityHall.Whatdepartmentplease?SmithCompany.SmithCompany,mayIhelpyou?Smithco,howmayIdirectyourcall?

456Askingwhomatelephonecallerwantstotalkto

Whodoyouwanttotalkto?Whodoyouwanttospeakwith?Whodoyouwishtospeakto?Whomdoyouwishtospeakto?Withwhomdoyouwishtospeak?(formal)Doyouknowherextension?

457Screeningsomeone’stelephonecalls

MayItellherwho’scalling?MayIaskwhoiscalling?WhommayIsayiscalling?(formal)WhoshallIsayiscalling?

WhomshallIsayiscalling?(formal)Who’scalling?Issheexpectingyourcall?

458Connectingortransferringatelephonecaller

DoyouwishmetopageMrs.Robins?Iwillseeifshe’sinthebuilding.Letmepageher.Letmeconnectyouwiththatdepartment.

459Puttingatelephonecalleronhold

Heisonanotherline.Willyouhold?Wouldyoucaretohold?(formal)Wouldyouliketohold?Justamoment,please.Pleasehold.Hold,please.Holdtheline.(informal)Canyouhold?

460Interruptingatelephonecallwithotherbusiness

Justamoment;Ihaveanothercall.Hangonamoment.

tohangon=towaitHangonasec(ond).

Hangonasec(ond).

461Takingacalloffhold

Forwhomareyouholding?(formal)Whomareyouholdingfor?(formal)Whoareyouholdingfor?

Who’sontheline?Areyoubeinghelped?Haveyoubeenhelped?MayIhelpyou?CanIhelpyou?

462Offeringtotakeamessagefromatelephonecaller

He’snotin;wouldyouliketocallback?Sheisnotavailable.CanItakeamessage?Sheisawayfromherdesk.CanItakeamessage?MayItakeamessage?(formal)CouldItakeamessage?CouldIhavesomeonecallyou?

463Offeringtohelpatelephonecaller

Isthereanyoneelsewhocouldhelpyou?Iwouldbehappytotrytoansweryourquestion.Wouldyoucaretotalktohersecretary?CouldIhelpyou?

464Bringingatelephonecalltoanend

Ihavetogetbacktoworkbeforethebossseesme.Ihavetogetbacktomywork.Iwillcallagainlater.There’ssomeoneontheotherline.Imustsaygood-byenow.Ireallyhavetogonow.I’llhavetotakeyournumberandcallyouback.CanIcallyouback?Somethinghascomeup.Canwecontinuethislater?

Myotherlineisringing.Thedoorbellisringing.

I’llcallyouback.