Common American Phrases in Everyday Contexts (121 page)

(It) couldn't be better
.
AND
(Things) couldn't be better
.
Everything is fine.
J
OHN
: How are things going? J
ANE
: Couldn't be better
.
B
ILL
: I hope everything is okay with your new job. M
ARY
: Things couldn't be better.

(It) couldn't be helped
.
Go to (It) can't be helped.

(It) doesn't bother me any
.
AND
(It) doesn't bother me at all
.
It does not trouble me at all.; I have no objection. (Compare to (It) makes no difference to me. Not very polite or cordial. See also (It) won't bother me any.)
J
OHN
: Do you mind if I sit here? J
ANE
: Doesn't bother me any
.
S
ALLY
(smoking a cigarette): Do you mind if I smoke? B
ILL
: It doesn't bother me any.

(It) doesn't bother me at all
.
Go to (It) doesn't bother me any.

(It) doesn't hurt to ask
.
AND
(It) never hurts to ask
.
a phrase said when one asks a question, even when knowing the answer is likely to be no.
J
OHN
: Can I take some of these papers home with me? J
ANE
: No, you can't. You know that. J
OHN
: Well, it doesn't hurt
to ask.
S
UE
: Can I have two of these? S
ALLY
: Certainly not! S
UE
: Well, it never hurts to ask. S
ALLY
: Well, it just may!

It doesn't quite suit me
.
Go to This doesn't quite suit me.

(It) don't bother me none
.
Go to (It) makes no difference to me.

(It) don't make me no nevermind
.
Go to (It) makes no difference to me.

(It) hasn't been easy
.
AND
Things haven't been easy
.
Things have been difficult, but I have survived.
B
ILL
: I'm so sorry about all your troubles. I hope things are all right now. B
OB
: It hasn't been easy, but things are okay now
.
J
OHN
: How are you getting on after your dog died? B
ILL
: Things haven't been easy.

It isn't worth it. 1
.
Its value does not justify the action proposed.
M
ARY
: Should I write a letter in support of your request? S
UE
: No, don't bother. It isn't worth it
.
J
OHN
: Do you suppose we should report that man to the police? J
ANE
: No, it isn't worth it
.
2
.
Its importance does not justify the concern being shown.
T
OM
: I'm so sorry about your roses all dying. M
ARY
: Not to worry. It isn't worth it. They were sort of sickly anyway
.
J
OHN
: Should I have this coat cleaned? The stain isn't coming out. S
UE
: It isn't worth it. I only wear it when I shovel snow anyway.