Common American Phrases in Everyday Contexts (120 page)

Is that
x
, or is it
x
?
AND
Is that
x
, or what?
Isn't this a classical example of something (x)?; This thing is such a quintessential instance of itself that it could be nothing else. (The
x
can be anything, but a set of two
x
's refer to the same thing.)
Hot scarlet! What a cool color! Is that red, or is that red?
Man, try this pepper sauce. Is that hot, or is it hot?

Is that
x,
or what?
Go to Is that x, or is it x?

Is there anything else?
Go to (Will there be) anything else?

Is there some place I can wash up?
Go to Where can I wash up?

(Is) this (seat) taken?
an inquiry made by a person in a theater, auditorium, etc., asking someone already seated whether an adjacent seat is available or already taken.
Finally, Bill came to a row where there was an empty seat. He leaned over to the person sitting beside the empty seat and whispered, “Is this seat taken?
”
F
RED
: 'Scuse me. This taken? A
LICE
: No. Help yourself.

issue a call for
something to make an invitation or request for something.
The prime minister issued a call for peace
.
The person who organized the writing contest issued a call for entries.

(It) beats me
.
AND
(It's) got me beat.; You got me beat
.
I do not know the answer.; I cannot figure it out. The question has me stumped. (The stress is on
me
.)
B
ILL
: When are we supposed to go over to Tom's? B
ILL
: Beats me
.
S
ALLY
: What's the largest river in the world? B
OB
: You got me beat.

It blows my mind
!
It really amazes and shocks me. (Slang.)
B
ILL
: Did you hear about Tom's winning the lottery? S
UE
: Yes, it blows my mind!
J
OHN
: Look at all that paper! What a waste of trees! J
ANE
: It blows my mind!

(It) can't be helped. 1
.
Nothing can be done to help the situation.; It isn't anyone's fault. (Also in the past tense,
It couldn't be helped
.
)
J
OHN
: The accident has blocked traffic in two directions. J
ANE
: It can't be helped. They have to get the people out of the cars and send them to the hospital
.
B
ILL
: My goodness, the lawn looks dead! S
UE
: It can't be helped. There's no rain, and water is rationed
.
J
OHN
: I'm sorry I broke your figurine. S
UE
: It couldn't be helped. J
OHN
: I'll replace it. S
UE
: That would be nice
.
B
ILL
: I'm sorry I'm late. I hope it didn't mess things up. B
OB
: It couldn't be helped.