Common American Phrases in Everyday Contexts (135 page)

Just getting by
.
Go to (I'm) just getting by.

Just goes to show (you)
.
Go to (It) just goes to show (you) (something).

just let me say
Go to let me (just) say.

just like that
in just the way it was stated; without any (further) discussion or comment.
S
UE
: You can't walk out on me just like that. J
OHN
: I can too. Just watch!
M
ARY
: And then she slapped him in the face, just like that! S
ALLY
: She can be so rude.

Just looking
.
Go to (I'm) only looking.

Just plugging along
.
Go to (I'm) (just) plugging along.

(Just) taking care of business
.
an answer to the question “What have you been doing lately?” (Also abbreviated
T.C.B
.
)
B
ILL
: Hey, man. What you been doing? T
OM
: Just taking care of business
.
A
NDREW
: Look, officer, I'm just standing here, taking care of business, and this Tom guy comes up and tries to hit me for a loan. T
OM
: That's not true!

Just thinking out loud
.
Go to (I'm) (just) thinking out loud.

Just wait
!
Go to You (just) wait (and see)!

Just want(ed) to (
do something). Go to (I) just want(ed) to (do something).

Just watch
!
Go to (You) (just) watch!

Just what you need
.
Go to That's all someone needs.

Just wondering
.
Go to (I was) just wondering.

Just (you) wait (and see)
!
Go to You (just) wait (and see)!

keep a secret
to know a secret and not tell anyone.
Please keep our little secret private
.
Do you know how to keep a secret?

keep harping on
something to continue to talk or complain about something; to keep raising a topic of conversation.
Why do you keep harping on the same old complaint?
You keep harping on my problems and ignore your own!

keep in mind that
Go to keep (it) in mind that.

Keep in there
!
Keep trying.
A
NDREW
: Don't give up, Sally. Keep in there! S
ALLY
: I'm doing my best!
J
OHN
: I'm not very good, but I keep trying. F
RED
: Just keep in there, John.

Keep in touch
.
Please try to communicate occasionally.
R
ACHEL
: Good-bye, Fred. Keep in touch. F
RED
: Bye, Rach
.
S
ALLY
(throwing kisses): Good-bye, you two. M
ARY
(waving good-bye): Be sure to write. S
UE
: Yes, keep in touch.