Common American Phrases in Everyday Contexts by Richard Spears Read Free Book Online Page A

speak to Bill Franklin? S ALLY : Could I tell him who’s calling?
B ILL (speaking on the phone): Is Tom there? M ARY : May I tell him who’s calling? B ILL : It’s Bill. M ARY : Just a minute.
    Could I use your powder room? AND Where is your powder room? a polite way to ask to use the bathroom in someone’s home. (Refers to powdering one’s nose. Also used with
can
or
may
in place of
could
.)
M ARY : Oh, Sally, could I use your powder room? S ALLY : Of course. It’s just off the kitchen, on the left
.
T OM
:
Nice place you’ve got here. Uh, where is your powder room? B ETH : At the top of the stairs.
    Could we continue this later? Could we go on with this conversation at a later time? (Also used with
can
or
may
in place of
could
.)
B OB : After that, we both ended up going out for a pizza. S UE : Could we continue this later? I have some work I have to get done. B OB : Sure. No problem
.
As Mary and John were discussing something private, Bob entered the room. “Could we continue this later?” whispered John. “Yes, of course,” answered Mary.
    Could you excuse us, please? AND Would you excuse us, please?; Will you excuse us, please? We must leave. I hope you will forgive us. (A polite way of announcing a departure. Also with
can
in place of
could
.)
B ILL : Will you excuse us, please? We really must leave now. B OB : Oh, sure. Nice to see you
.
B ILL : Could you excuse us, please? We simply must rush off. A LICE : So sorry you have to go. Come back when you can stay longer.
    Could you handle it? Go to Can you handle it?
    Could you hold? AND Will you hold? Do you mind if I put your telephone call on hold? (Also with
can
in place of
could
.)
“Could you hold?” asked the operator
.
S UE (answering the telephone): Hello. Acme Motors. Can you hold? B OB : I guess. S UE (after a while): Hello. Thank you for holding. Can I help you?
    Could you keep a secret? I am going to tell you something that I hope you will keep a secret. (Also used with
can
in place of
could
.)
T OM : Could you keep a secret? M ARY : Sure. T OM : Don’t tell anybody, but I’m going to be a daddy
.
S UE : Can you keep a secret? A LICE : Of course. S UE : We’re moving to Atlanta.
    Couldn’t ask for more . Go to (I) couldn’t ask for more.
    Couldn’t be better . Go to (It) couldn’t be better. See also (I) couldn’t be better.
    couldn’t be happier totally happy.
We are delighted. Couldn’t be happier
.
They both couldn’t be happier since they got married.
    Couldn’t be helped . Go to (It) can’t be helped.
    Could(n’t) care less . Go to (I) could(n’t) care less.
    Couldn’t help it . Go to (I) couldn’t help it.
    curdle someone’s blood to frighten or disgust someone severely.
The story was scary enough to curdle your blood.
The terrible scream was enough to curdle my blood.
    Cut it out ! Stop doing that!; Stop saying that! (Colloquial and familiar.)
S UE : Why, I think you have a crush on Mary! T OM : Cut it out!
“Cut it out!” yelled Tommy as Billy hit him again.
    Cut me a little slack . AND Cut me some slack . Please give me a little leeway.; Allow me some flexibility in meeting the requirements.
Come on, man. I’m sorry, but I didn’t see you. Don’t be so angry. Cut me a little slack
.
I tried to get my landlord to cut me some slack, but all he could say was: “You must pay the rent!
”
    Cut me some slack . Go to Cut me a little slack.
    Cut the comedy ! AND Cut the funny stuff ! Stop acting silly and telling jokes!; Be serious!
J OHN : All right, you guys! Cut the comedy and get to work! B ILL : Can’t we ever have any fun? J OHN : No
.
B ILL : Come on, Mary, let’s throw Tom in the pool! M ARY : Yeah, let’s drag him over and give him a good dunking! T OM : Okay, you clowns, cut the funny stuff! I’ll throw both of you in! B ILL : You and what army?
    Cut the funny stuff ! Go to Cut the