Common American Phrases in Everyday Contexts Read Online Free

because she has to stop by the candy store.
    as such authentic; in the way just mentioned; as one would expect.
A LICE : Did you have a good vacation? J OHN : Well, sort of. It wasn’t a vacation, as such. We just went and visited Mary’s parents. A LICE : That sounds nice. J OHN : Doesn’t it.
A NDREW : Someone said you bought a beach house. H ENRY : Well, it’s certainly not a beach house, as such. More like a duck blind, in fact.
    as to someone or something AND as for someone or something regarding someone or something; having to do with someone or something.
As for Charles, someone needs to explain to him how important it is that we all work together.
As for dessert, would apple pie with ice cream be okay?
    as we speak just now; at this very moment. (This has almost reached cliché status.)
“I’m sorry, sir,” consoled the agent at the gate, “the plane is taking off as we speak.
”
T OM : Waiter, where is my steak? It’s taking a long time. W AITER : It is being grilled as we speak, sir—just as you requested.
    as you say 1 . AND like you say a phrase indicating (patronizing) agreement with someone. (The
like
is used colloquially only.)
J OHN : Things are not going well for me today. What should I do? B OB : Some days are like that. As you say, it’s just not going well for you, that’s all.
J OHN : This arrangement is not really good. There’s not enough room for both of us. M ARY : I guess you’re right. It is
crowded, and, like you say, there’s not enough room
. 2 . (usually As you say . ) a polite and formal way of indicating agreement or acquiescence. (Literally, I will do as you say.)
J OHN : Please take this to the post office. B UTLER : As you say, sir.
B UTLER : There is a Mr. Franklin at the door. M ARY : Thank you, James. Tell him I’ve gone to Egypt for the winter. B UTLER : As you say, madam.
    at best at most; according to the highest estimate.
A: I hope things went well for your reception. B: We were hoping for a large crowd, but there were only a dozen there at best.
What a lousy team. Only half the players at best are major-league quality!
    at that considering what has been mentioned; after you have thought about it.
Now that you mention it, his talents are pretty valuable at that.
F ATHER : Despite her caustic manner, Mary has been very helpful to us. M OTHER : I guess she has been pretty helpful at that.
    at the end of the day when everything is over. (Also literal.)
We all try to do the right thing in our business deals, and at the end of the day, it ought to be appreciated by our customers.
Don’t sweat the small stuff. At the end of the day, it will all come out in the wash. You better believe it!
    at the present time now. (Almost a cliché.)
“We are very sorry to report that we are unable to fill your order at the present time,” stated the little note on the order form.
M ARY : How long will it be until we can be seated? W AITER : There are no tables available at the present time, madam. M ARY : But, how long?
    aw 1 . an interjection indicating dissent.
B ILL : Put the film in the fridge. B OB : Aw, that’s stupid! It’ll just get cold!
T OM : The new cars are all unsafe. B ILL : Aw, you don’t know what you’re talking about!
2 . an interjection indicating pleading.
T OM : No! F RED : Aw, come on! Please!
M ARY : Get away from my door! J OHN : Aw, come on! Let me in!
F RED : You hurt my feelings. B OB : Aw, I didn’t mean it.

B
    bar none with no exceptions. (Here,
bar
is a preposition with the same meaning as
except
.)
She is absolutely the best there is, bar none!
We had many dishes to choose from. The menu is quite extensive. Everything looked really good, but we chose the pineapple, radish, and asparagus pizza. It was the worst pizza I’ve ever had in my life, bar none!
    Batter up ! The first person should get ready to start now! (Also literal in baseball.)
Okay, everyone has to make a