DAILY CONVERSATION

I couldn't help it !!!

Daryl I am upset. Somebody told my boss I have a part-time job.
Smith And he doesn't like that ?
Daryl No, he doesn't. He thinks that I am too tired to work.
Smith I am sorry. I have to admit I told him.
Daryl You told him ? Why ?
Smith I couldn't help it. He asked me point-blank.

Explanation :

If you can't help the way you feel or behave, you cannot control it or stop it from
happening. You can also say that you can't help yourself.

If you say something point-blank, you say it very directly or rudely, without explaining or
apologizing.

It is up to you !!!
John Would you like to go out to dinner or to a movie ?
Karen Either one, it is up to you .
John What would you prefer ?
Karen I really don't care, I just want to get out of the house.
John Well, then how about dinner and a movie ?
Karen That's a great idea !

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Explanation :

If you say that it is up to someone to do something, you mean that it is their responsibility
to do it.

Example : -

The choice was up to Paula.

You can count on us !!!

Stacey Sue, can you drive Jane and I to the doctor on Monday ?
Sue I think so.
Stacey We need a ride very badly, are you sure you will be able to help out ?
Sue Sure. I will mark it on my calendar so I don't forget.
Stacey Thanks you are a good friend.
Sue You can always count on me when you need help.

Explanation :

If you count on someone or count upon them, you rely on them to support you or help
you.

Example : -

I can always count on you to cheer me up .........

It's better than nothing!!!

Jim Did you ask Mr. Davidson for a raise ?
Carmen Yes, I asked for 80 cents any hour more.

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Jim Did you get it ?
Carmen No, I got 30 cents
Jim That's too bad.
Carmen Oh, it is alright. It is better than nothing.

Explanation :

If you say that something is better than nothing, you mean that it is not what is required,
but that it is better to have that thing than to have nothing at all.

Example : -

After all, 15 minutes of exercise is better than nothing.

It doesn't make any difference !!!

Mike Shall I pick you up at 5 or 6 ?
Joei It doesn't make any difference.
Mike O.K, I will pick you up at 5.
Joei No problem !
Mike Shall we play badminton or table tennis on Sunday ?
Joei It doesn't make any difference.

Explanation :

If something makes no difference, it does not have any effect on what you are doing.

Example : -

It is sad to see him go but it won't make any difference to the way we conduct our
affairs.

Chances are slim !!!

Carol What are your chances of getting into Yale ?

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Judy My chances are slim.
Carol I hear those Ivy League Colleges are tough to get into.
Judy I know. I'd have better chance at the state University.
Carol Sure. It's not a bad school either.
Judy I'd rather be a big fish in a small pond.

Explanation :

If you say that someone doesn't stand a chance of achieving something, you mean that
they cannot possibly achieve it.

Example : -

Neither is seen as standing any chance of snatching the leadership from him.

It is on the tip of my tongue !!!

Mahoney Do you remember the restaurant we went to Friday.
Marcus Sure I do. It was the ' Silver Castle '.
Mahoney No, we've never been to the ' Silver Castle '.
Marcus Maybe it was the Gold Coin.
Mahoney No Gee. It is on the tip of my tongue.
Marcus Never mind. The food was terrible.

Explanation :

If something that you want to say is on the tip of your tongue, you think you know it and
that you will be able to remember it very soon.

Example : -

A sarcastic remark was on the tip of her tongue.

Not that I know of !!!

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Mei Is Mrs. Johnson joining us for dinner ?
Susie Not that I know of.
Mei I was hoping she would come with us.
Susie Why ?
Mei I would like her to try some of our traditional Chinese foods.
Susie That's very kind of you.

Explanation :

You say ' Not that I know of ' when someone has asked you whether or not something is
true and you think the answer is; ' no ' but you cannot be sure because you do not know all
the facts.

It's a piece of cake !!!

Han What kind of Chinese food would you like to have.
Joe I'd like to have spring rolls.
Han Fine. By the way, do you know how to use chopsticks ?
Joe It's a piece of cake.
Han How in the world did you learn to use them ?
Joe I was stationed in Taiwan for five years, you know.

Explanation :

If you think something is very easy to do, you can say it is a piece of cake. People often
say this to stop someone feeling worried about doing something they have to do.

I tossed and turned all night !!!

Robb Are you ill ?
Seles Not really ! I am just tired.
Bobb Didn't you sleep well last night.
Seles No, I tossed and turned all night.
Robb I am sorry to hear that, I hope you sleep better tonight.
Seles Thank you. I'm sure I will.

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Explanation :

If you toss and turn, you move restlessly in bed and cannot sleep properly, for example
because you are ill or worried.

Example : -

You feel as if you've been tossing and turning all night, and wake up feeling worn out.

Let's get to the point !!!

Janet Good afternoon Bob, isn't it a lovely day ?
Bob Yes, it is Janet !
Janet It is the kind of day when you want to go outside.
Bob Janet, let's get to the point. Do you want the afternoon off ?
Janet Yes, Bob.
Bob Alright. As soon as you finish typing. You can go.

Explanation :

When someone comes to the point or gets to the point, they start talking about the thing
that is most important to them.

Does it ring a bell !!!

Shirley Guess who I met at the grocery store.
Leonard I can't imagine.
Shirley Do you remember Mr. Johnson from our old neighborhood.
Leonard That name rings a bell, but I can't place him.
Shirley He used to live in the building next to ours.
Leonard Oh yes, now I remember. He had dark hair and wore glasses.

Explanation :

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If you say that something rings a bell , you mean that it reminds you of something else,
but you cannot remember exactly what it is ......

Don't get me wrong !!!

Billy Bill is going to sing tonight.
Lucy Oh, no !
Billy Don't you like his singing ?
Lucy It's not that. Don't get me wrong !!!
Billy What's the problem then ?
Lucy He only knows one song.

Explanation :

If you say ' Don't get me wrong ' when you want to make sure that someone does not
misunderstand what you are doing or saying, or why you are doing or saying it.

Example : -

Don't get me wrong, it's interesting work.

Out of the question !!!

Robert I am going to look at new cars tomorrow.
James I wish I could have one.
Robert Why don't you come along ?
James I'd like to but I don't want to be tempted.
Robert I am sure you could get a good deal.
James No, buying a new car is out of the question for me right now.

Explanation :

If you say that something is out of the question, you are emphasing that it is completely
impossible or unacceptable.

Example : -

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For the homeless, private medical care is simply out of the question .......

Brush up on !!!
Jeff Do you have a driver's license ?
Mike No. I am going to take the test in a couple of weeks .
Jeff Didn't you drive in your country ?
Mike Yes, but I have to brush up on my driving.
Jeff And. You have to study the traffic rules too !
Mike Yes, there is a lot of new things I must learn.

Explanation :

If you brush up something or brush up on it, you practise it or improve your knowledge
of it.

Example :

Eleanor spent much of the summer brushing up on her driving.

Rain Check !!!

Jean My brother and his family will be coming into town next week.
Joe Is he the one who writes articles for the English Post ?
Jean Right, why don't you come over next Sunday to meet him.
Joe I'd love to but I can't. Can you give me a rain check !!!
Jean Sure, they'll be here for a week. So just let me know when you can come.
Joe Ok! I will be very interested in seeing him.

Explanation :

If you say you will take a rain check on an offer or suggestion, you mean that you do not
want to accept it straight away, but you might accept it at another time.

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Example :

I was planning to ask you in for a brandy, but if you want to take a rain check, that's
fine .......

I am starving !!!
Yin I think we should get something to eat.
Linda Are you hungry ?
Yin Hungry ? I'm starving.
Linda There is an Italian restaurant near here.
Yin Is the food very hot ?
Linda It's kind of hot, but it's very tasty.

Explanation :

If you say that you are starving , you mean that you are very hungry.

Example :

Apart from anything else I was starving.