Common American Phrases in Everyday Contexts (112 page)

I'm (just) dying to know
.
I am very eager to find something out. (Also in other persons.)
J
AN
: I'm not sure if I am supposed to tell you when Mary is leaving for New York. A
NN
: Oh, please! I'm just dying to know
.
I'm just dying to know what our new address will be. I'm hoping for Paris.

(I'm) just getting by
.
an expression indicating that one is just surviving financially or otherwise.
B
OB
: How you doing, Tom? T
OM
: Just getting by, Bob
.
“I wish I could get a better job,” remarked Tom. “I'm just getting by as it is.

(I'm just) minding my own business
.
an answer to a greeting inquiry asking what one is doing. (This answer also can carry the implication “Since I am minding my own business, why aren't you minding your own business?”)
T
OM
: Hey, man, what are you doing? B
ILL
: Minding my own business. See you around
.
S
UE
: Hi, Mary. What have you been doing? M
ARY
: I'm just minding my own business and trying to keep out of trouble.

(I'm) (just) plugging along
.
I am doing satisfactorily.; I am just managing to function.
B
ILL
: How are things going? B
OB
: I'm just plugging along
.
S
UE
: How are you doing, Fred? F
RED
: Just plugging along, thanks. And you? S
UE
: About the same.

(I'm) (just) thinking out loud
.
I'm saying things that might better remain as private thoughts. (A way of characterizing or introducing one's opinions or thoughts. Also past tense.)
S
UE
: What are you saying, anyway? Sounds like you're scolding someone. B
OB
: Oh, sorry. I was just thinking out loud
.
B
OB
: Now, this goes over here. B
ILL
: You want me to move that? B
OB
: Oh, no. Just thinking out loud.

I'm like you
.
an expression introducing a statement of a similarity that the speaker shares with the person spoken to.
M
ARY
: And what do you think about this pair? J
ANE
: I'm like you, I like the ones with lower heels
.
“I'm like you,” confided Fred. “I think everyone ought to pay the same amount.

Other books

Slant by Greg Bear
A Rose at Midnight by Anne Stuart
Cathryn Fox by Regina
The Gorgon Festival by John Boyd
Rogue by Danielle Steel
Rhythm of the Imperium by Jody Lynn Nye
Vinieron de la Tierra by Jim Wynorski