That's everyday American phrases for you!

Below is a list of phrases and exclamations, many of which are particularly common in American English. Try to find an explanation for each one. You can also
work in pairs and form short dialogues from some of the phrases if you like it will help you to remember them. These expressions are mainly used in spoken
English, however, so you should avoid using them in your written English!

1.

(I'd) better get on my horse.

Its time to leave.

2.

Break a leg!

Good luck! (Usually said to someone who is going to appear in front of

an audience.)

3.

Dig in!

You can start eating your meal.

4.

Bite your tongue!

Keep quiet!

5.

Butt out!

Go away and mind your own business!

6.

By the skin of my teeth.

Only just.

7.

Beats me.

I dont know.

8.

Drop me a line.

Write me (a letter).

9.

Go jump in a lake!

Go away and stop bothering me!

10. Get off my tail!

Stop following me!

11. As we speak.

Just now.

12. Bag it! / Bag your face!

Be quiet! / Shut up and go away!

13. Bang goes _____!

Said when you lose the chance to do or have something e.g. Bang goes
my pay rise!

14. Be that as it may.

Even though that may be true.

15. Bully for you!

Used sarcastically when someone expects praise but you dont think they

deserve it.
16. You can't fight the city hall.

Theres no way to beat the bureaucracy.

17. Cut the comedy!

Stop acting silly and telling jokes!

18. Don't even look like something!

Do not even appear to be doing something!

19. Don't even go there!

Dont you dare bring up that subject.

20. Don't I know it!

I know that very well!

21. Don't stand on ceremony!

Please be at ease and make yourself at home.

22. Do you get my drift?

Do you understand what Im saying?

23. Do you want to step outside?

An expression inviting someone to go out of doors to settle an

argument by fighting.

24. Easy does it.

Move slowly and carefully.

25. Fair to middling.

A response to an inquiry about the state of ones health.

26. Fill in the blanks.

You can figure out the rest.

27. Gotcha!

I understand what you said / what you want.

28. Hang in there.

Be patient, things will work out.

29. Have a ball!

Enjoy yourself!

30. Have a good one.

Have a nice day.

31. Have a heart!

Please be kind and compassionate.

32. Hold your horses!

Slow down!

33. I can live with that.

Thats something I can get used to.

34. I cant argue with that.

I agree with what you said.

35. I couldnt ask for more.

Everything is fine, and there is nothing else that I could want.

36. I didnt hear you.

I didnt hear what you said, so would you please repeat it.

37. I declare!

Im surprised to hear that!

38. I dont mean maybe!

Im very serious about what I said!

39. (I) dont mind if I do.

Yes, I would like to.

40. I hate to eat and run.

An apology by someone who must leave a social event soon after

eating.

41. I hear you.

I know exactly what you mean!

42. Ill bite.

Okay, Ill answer your question / Ill listen to your joke.

43. Ill have to beg off.

An expression used to turn down an informal invitation.

44. Im all ears.

You have my attention.

45. Im easy.

Im not fussy. / Ill accept whatevers on offer.

46. Im with you.

I understand what youre saying.

47. In this day and age.

Now./ In these modern times.

48. I read you loud and clear.

An expression to signal that the hearer understands.

49. I spoke out of turn.

I said the wrong thing.

50. Its not half bad.

Not as bad as one might have thought.

51. Its on me.

I will pay this bill.

52. (Its) time to split.

An announcement of ones desire or need to leave.

53. Its your funeral.

If thats what you want to do, you will have to endure the
consequences.

54. Ive been there. / Been there, done that.

Ive experienced the same thing and I know what

youre talking about.

55. Ive had it up to here.

I will not endure any more of something.

56. I wont tell a soul.

I will not tell anyone.

57. I wouldnt know.

There is no way that I would know the answer to that question.

58. Keep this to yourself.

A phrase introducing something that is meant to be a secret.

59. Keep your shirt on!

Be patient! Just wait a minute!

60. Knock it off!

Be quiet! Stop that noise!

61. Lovely weather for ducks.

Something you say when its raining heavily, or youve just

come in out of the rain.

62. Name your poison.

What would you like to drink?

63. No can do.

I cannot do it.

64. No siree (,Bob)! / Yes siree, Bob!

Absolutely no! / Of course!

65. Not for my money.

Not as far as Im concerned.

66. Not in a thousand years!

No, never!

67. Not in my book.

Not according to my views.

68. Now youre cooking!

Now youre doing what you should be doing!

69. Now youre talking!

Now youre saying the right things!

70. Okay by me.

Thats fine with me.

71. or words to that effect.

or similar words meaning about the same thing.

72. Over my dead body!

A defiant phrase indicating the strength of ones opposition to

something.
73. Pardon me for living!

A very indignant response to a criticism or rebuke.

74. (Right) off the top of my head?

Do you want me to answer your question without having

time to give it some thought?

75. See if I care!

I dont care if you do it!

76. (So) what else is new?

This isnt new.

77. Speak of the devil.

A phrase said when someone whose name has just been mentioned
suddenly appears on the scene.

78. Take my word for it.

Believe me! Trust me, I am telling you the truth.

79. Take it from me.

I know what Im talking about.

80. That does it!

The same as 82 below.

81. Thats more like it.

That is better.

82. Thats the last straw!

Thats going too far! Something will have to be done.

83. Thats the ticket!

That is what is required!

84. (Thats the) way to go!

A phrase encouraging someone to continue the good work.

85. Thats what I call _______!

Used when you want to emphasize that something is very good

e.g. Thats what I call a holiday!

86. Mums the word.

A pledge not to reveal a secret or to tell something or someone.

87. Watch your tongue! / Watch your mouth!

Do not talk like that!

88. What (a) nerve! / Of all the nerve!

How rude!

89. Whatever turns you on.

Whatever pleases or excites you is okay.

90. Whats cooking?

What is happening?

91. Whats eating you?

Whats bothering you?

92. Whats the catch?

What are the negative factors?

93. Whats the damage?

What are the charges? How much is the bill?

94. Who would / could have thought?

A question phrase indicating surprise or amazement.

95. With my blessing.

A phrase expressing consent or agreement.

96. Yesterday wouldnt be too soon.

An answer to the question When do you want this?

97. You aint seen nothing yet.

The best, most exciting, or cleverest part is yet to come.

98. You could have knocked me over with a feather. I was extremely surprised.
99. Youre dern tootin!

You are absolutely right!

100. Youre the doctor.

You are in a position to tell me what to do.