Common American Phrases in Everyday Contexts (105 page)

I'll bite
.
Okay, I will answer your question.; Okay, I will listen to your joke or play your little guessing game.
B
OB
: Guess what is in this box. B
ILL
: I'll bite. B
OB
: A new toaster!
J
OHN
: Did you hear the joke about the used car salesman? J
ANE
: No, I'll bite.

I'll call back later
.
a standard phrase indicating that a telephone caller will call again at a later time.
S
ALLY
: Is Bill there? M
ARY
: Sorry, he's not here right now. S
ALLY
: I'll call back later
.
J
OHN
: Hello. Is Fred there? J
ANE
: No. Can I take a message? J
OHN
: No, thanks. I'll call back later.

(I'll) catch you later
.
I will talk to you later.
M
ARY
: Got to fly. See you around. S
ALLY
: Bye. Catch you later
.
J
OHN
: I have to go to class now. B
ILL
: Okay, catch you later.

I'll drink to that
!
I agree with that totally, and I salute it with a drink. (The phrase is used even when no drinking is involved.)
J
OHN
: Hey, Tom! You did a great job! M
ARY
: I'll drink to that! T
OM
: Thanks!
J
ANE
: I think I'll take everybody out to dinner. S
ALLY
: I'll drink to that!

I'll get back to you (on that)
.
AND
Let me get back to you (on that)
.
I will report back later with my decision. (More likely said by a boss to an employee than vice versa.)
B
OB
: I have a question about the Wilson project. M
ARY
: I have to go to a meeting now. I'll get back to you on that. B
OB
: It's sort of urgent. M
ARY
: It can wait. It will wait
.
S
UE
: Shall I close the Wilson account? J
ANE
: Let me get back to you on that.

I'll get right on it
.
I will begin work on that immediately.
B
OB
: Please do this report immediately. F
RED
: I'll get right on it
.
J
ANE
: Please call Tom and ask him to rethink this proposal. J
OHN
: I'll get right on it.