Webster's New World American Idioms Handbook (22 page)

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Authors: Gail Brenner

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I Don’t Care
and Related Idioms

The expressions in the following list are used when a person doesn’t have a preference or choice. Depending on the tone of voice,
I don’t care, It doesn’t matter,
and
whatever
can show disinterest or even sarcasm. These expressions are often said as part of a larger sentence. When that occurs they are often followed by a dependent clause, as in some of the examples shown here:

I don’t care
♦ I don’t care
where we eat for dinner.

I don’t mind
♦ I don’t mind
what we do.

I’m open
♦ I’m open
to anything.
♦ I’m open
to whatever you want to do.

It doesn’t matter (to me)
♦ It doesn’t matter to me
what movie we see.

Either way
♦ Either way
is fine with me.

Whatever
♦
We could take a hike, go to the beach, or
whatever.

The following expressions are used to give the choice or decision to someone else. They are often used when the speaker doesn’t have a preference or wants to show respect or deference to someone:

It’s up to you
♦ It’s up to you.
You decide.

It’s your call
♦
I don’t care, really.
It’s your call.

Whatever you want (
or
think)
♦
We can do whatever
you want. ♦ Whatever you think.
It’s your choice.

Who Cares?
and Related Idioms

The expressions that follow are generally used to show complete disinterest, indifference, or lack of caring. They’re often said sarcastically, and are generally impolite. These expressions ask the question “Is there a reason to care?” These expressions are sometimes said as part of a larger sentence. When that occurs, they are often followed by an if clause, as in some of the examples shown here:

Who cares?
♦ Who cares
if it’s raining? I don’t mind getting wet.

I could (couldn’t) care less
(both
could
and
couldn’t
have the same meaning here) ♦ I couldn’t care less
about her anymore. Not since she dated my best friend.

What’s it to me?
♦
Melanie: There are some great air fares to Paris right now. Jean:
What’s it to me?
I can’t afford to go to Paris.

Why should I care?
♦
She’s upset that I don’t agree with her, but
why should she care?

So what?
♦
So they didn’t hire you.
So what?
You have other job offers.

So?
(short for
So what?
or
So, why do you care?)
♦
Ann: Hurry! We’ll be late to the party! James:
So?
No one arrives exactly on time.

I’m supposed to care?
♦
Brian: I can’t pay my rent this month. Charlie:
I’m supposed to care?
I told you two months ago to get a job.

And your point is . . . ?
♦
Mick: Your ex-girlfriend is moving to London. Keith:
And your point is . . . ?

Agree to Disagree

People often show agreement simply by saying
Right,
Absolutely,
or
I agree.
They often show polite disagreement by saying something like,
Maybe, but . . .
or
I’m not sure that I agree.
However, there are a number of other ways to say
I agree
and even more ways to say (politely or forcefully)
I disagree.
The following expressions are some of the most common:

Saying
I Agree

The following expressions mean
I share your opinion:

Right on

I’m with you

I think so, too

I couldn’t agree more

You said it

You (’ve) got
that
right

You can say
that
again

Thinking

If you use the expression
I think so
to mean “I agree,” think again; you may not always be right.
I think, I think so,
and
I think so, too,
can cause much confusion for learners of American English, who often use these expressions incorrectly. Here’s how to use them correctly . . . every time. The word in
italic
should be emphasized or accented in order to get the exact meaning.

Expressing Opinion

I
think
means “It’s my opinion” (use this to introduce your opinion) ♦ I think
this class is easy.

I
think so
means “Yes, according to
my
opinion, but maybe not someone else’s” (Use this in response to someone’s question.) ♦
Tom: Do you think this class is easy? Amy:
I think so,
but some people find it difficult.
Caution:
Don’t introduce your opinion or idea with
I think so
. This is incorrect!
I think so
is not followed by an object. Don’t say “
I think so
that this class is easy.”

I think so,
too
means “I agree; that’s my thought or opinion exactly” (Use this in response to someone’s comment or opinion.) ♦
Tom: I think this class is pretty easy. Amy:
I think so, too. ♦
Tom: I think the library should stay open every night until midnight. Amy:
I think so, too.
It usually closes too early.

Expressing Uncertainty and Probability

I
think
often means “Maybe yes, but I’m not sure” (Use this to answer a question.) ♦
Tom: Is the library open tonight? Amy: I
think.
But I don’t know for sure.

I think
so
often means
“
Probably yes, but I’m not 100 percent sure” (Use this to answer a question. Here, the word
so
means “yes” or “That is right.”) ♦
Tom:
Is the library open tonight? Amy:
I think so.
It’s usually open at night.

Saying
I Disagree

These expressions are considered polite or neutral ways to show disagreement:

I can’t say that I agree:
a polite way to say “I don’t agree”

I don’t think so:
means “I don’t think the same way”; “I don’t think that’s right”

I have a different take on it:
means “I see/understand it differently; I have a different viewpoint”

I’m of a different mind:
means “My viewpoint is different”

I’m not sure about that:
a polite challenge to someone’s statement; means “I may not agree”

I question that:
a polite challenge to someone’s statement; means “I probably don’t agree”

I wouldn’t be so sure:
a challenge to someone’s statement; means “You might be wrong”

The following expressions show strong disagreement, and are impolite or rude. They are sometimes used for teasing, but are mostly only used in arguments:

You’re wrong

You’re crazy
or
You’re nuts

You’re all wet

You’re not thinking straight

You don’t know what you’re talking about

That’s B.S.
(slang)

That’s a bunch of bull
(slang)

Believe It or Not

In casual conversation, listeners show interest in the speaker and the topic by nodding their head, giving facial expressions, and interjecting (putting in) short comments, expressions of surprise, agreement, understanding, disbelief, and so on. The following expressions are often used as quick interjections in a conversation to show surprise, verification, or disbelief. These are also direct responses to someone’s statement or question.

No Kidding
and Related Idioms

The intonation and forcefulness of these phrases vary depending on whether they’re a response to good news, bad news, shocking news, or simple information. The expressions
Really?, Is that so?,
and
You don’t say!
can all be used as responses to information of any kind.

No kidding?
♦ No kidding?
You won the scholarship?!

No lie?
♦ No lie?
They’re getting married?!

For real?
♦
You quit smoking?
For real?

Really?
♦ Really?
You lost your job? I’m sorry.

Is that so?
or
Is that right?
♦
Hmmm.
Is that so?
I didn’t know that.

Is that a fact?
♦ Is that a fact?
She joined the Peace Corps?

You mean it?
♦ You mean it?
You got the job?!

You don’t say?
♦
A big storm is coming?
You don’t say!

The same expressions used to show disbelief are often used to verify that something is true. But instead of questions, they’re said as statements, as below:

No kidding
♦
Yes, I won the scholarship.
No kidding.

No lie
♦ No lie.
They’re finally getting married.

For real
♦ For real
. I quit smoking three weeks ago.

Really (and truly)
♦
Yes, unfortunately, I
really and truly
lost my job.

It’s a fact
♦ It’s a fact.
She starts Peace Corps training in June.

Trust me
♦ Trust me.
I know it’s true.

Believe it or not
♦
We’re moving to India.
Believe it or not.

Would I lie to you?
♦
Of course it’s true.
Would I lie to you?

I know what I’m talking about
♦
Believe me,
I know what I’m talking about.
They’re going to lay off 200 workers.

I saw it with my own eyes
♦
I
saw it with my own eyes
. He was driving a brand new Ferrari!

Saying
I Don’t Believe It

These slang expressions show strong disbelief and mean
That’s nonsense,
That’s impossible,
or
I don’t believe it at all.
They are often said with sarcasm or exasperation:

Yeah, sure
♦ Yeah, sure!
I’ll never believe that!

No way
♦ No way!
It can’t be true.

You lie
♦ You lie!
You’re not in a rock band.

Get out of here
♦ Get out of here!
That can’t be true!

Get out
♦ Get out!
Nobody believes that.

Go on
♦ Go on!
She never said that.

I don’t buy it
or
I don’t buy that
♦
He says he’s sorry, but
I don’t buy it.

Don’t make me laugh
♦ Don’t make me laugh!
He could never win that race!

Give me a break
♦ Give me a break!
That’s total nonsense.

You’re full of it
♦ You’re full of it.
You don’t know anything about it.

You’re pulling my leg
♦ You’re pulling my leg.
You’re making that up.

I’ll believe it when I see it
♦
John’s running a marathon?!
He hates sports.
I’ll believe it when I see it!

Slowing Down and Speeding Up

Asking someone to
wait up
or to
hurry up
are common idiomatic ways to say
Wait for me!
and
Hurry faster.
This section offers these and other idioms for requesting that someone go more slowly or more quickly. The prepositions
up
and
down
are often part of these idioms.

Expressions That Mean
Wait

These expressions are generally used to ask someone to slow down or wait for you to catch up:

Hold it
♦ Hold it.
We forgot to lock the door.

Hold up
♦
Hey, everyone!
Hold up!
Wait for me.

Wait up
♦ Wait up!
I’m coming with you.

Slow down
♦
Would you
slow down
and wait?
I can’t walk that fast.

Whoa
(word used to slow or stop a horse) ♦ Whoa!
What’s the big hurry?

The rest of the expressions in this section have a variety of functions. They’re used to