Common American Phrases in Everyday Contexts (175 page)

quite a bit
much; a lot. (Normally, a bit is a tiny amount.)
H
ANNA
: How much of the cake flour will we use? I
DA
: I don't know exactly. Quite a bit, I think
.
I sprained my ankle, and it hurts quite a bit.

Quite frankly
Go to (Speaking) (quite) frankly.

rain on
someone's
parade
to ruin someone's planned event; to spoil someone's plans or scheme. (Informal.)
I hate to rain on your parade, but the guest of honor cannot come to the reception
.
The boss rained on our parade by making us all work overtime.

raised in a barn
brought up to behave like a barnyard animal; behaving crudely. (Folksy.)
Close the door behind you! Were you raised in a barn?
Don't wipe your nose on your sleeve. Were you raised in a barn?

Reach out to
someone. to approach someone in a friendly and non-threatening manner.
D
ON
: I reached out to Fred, since he is so shy. H
ANNA
: I hope he felt comfortable with your proposition.
I reached out to my cousin, hoping to restore our former friendship.

Read you loud and clear
.
Go to (I) read you loud and clear.

Ready for this?
Go to (Are you) ready for this?

Ready to order?
Go to (Are you) ready to order?

Really. 1
.
I agree with what you just said.
R
ACHEL
: This cake is just too dry. M
ARY
: Really. I guess it's getting stale
.
H
ENRY
: Taxes are just too high. M
ARY
: Really. It's out of hand
.
2
.
(as a question,
Really?
) Do you really mean what you just said?
H
ENRY
: I'm going to join the army. M
ARY
: Really? H
ENRY
: Yes, I'm really going to do it
.
S
ALLY
: This will cost over two hundred dollars. R
ACHEL
: Really? I paid half that the last time
.
3
.
(usually
Really
!
) I can't believe what has just been said or done.; I'm shocked.
F
RED
: Then I punched him in the nose. H
ENRY
: Really! F
RED
: Well, I had too. H
ENRY
: Really!
“Really!” cried Sally, seeing the jogger bump the elderly lady.