Common American Phrases in Everyday Contexts (171 page)

Over my dead body
!
a defiant phrase indicating the strength of one's opposition to something. (A joking response is “That can be arranged.”)
S
ALLY
: Alice says she'll join the circus no matter what anybody says. F
ATHER
: Over my dead body! S
ALLY
: Now, now. You know how she is
.
B
ILL
: I think I'll rent out our spare bedroom. S
UE
: Over my dead body! B
ILL
(smiling): That can be arranged.

owing to
something because of something; due to something.
Owing to the lateness of the evening, I must go home
.
We were late owing to the heavy traffic.

Pardon (me)
.
Go to Excuse me.

Pardon me for living
!
a very indignant response to a criticism or rebuke.
F
RED
: Oh, I thought you had already taken yourself out of here! S
UE
: Well, pardon me for living!
T
OM
: Butt out, Mary! Bill and I are talking. M
ARY
: Pardon me for living!

Pardon my French
.
Excuse me for swearing or saying naughty words.
Pardon my French, but get that damn cat out of here!
He slipped and fell on his butt, pardon my French.

Perhaps a little later
.
Not now, but possibly later.
W
AITER
: Would you like your coffee now? B
OB
: Perhaps a little later. W
AITER
: All right
.
S
ALLY
: Hey, Bill, how about a swim? B
OB
: Sounds good, but not now. Perhaps a little later. S
ALLY
: Okay. See you later.

Permit me
.
Go to Allow me.

pick and choose
to choose very carefully from a number of possibilities; to be selective.
You must take what you are given. You cannot pick and choose
.
Jane is so beautiful. She can pick and choose from a whole range of suitors.

pick the low-hanging fruit
to do only the things that are easily done.
A: You're lazy, you know. There are lots of things to do around here, but you only pick the low-hanging fruit. B: Yes, I leave the challenges for others. It builds character, you know
.
Start out slowly. Look for customers who offer the least sales resistance. You know, pick the low-hanging fruit. Then get a little more aggressive.