Common American Phrases in Everyday Contexts (144 page)

Let's talk (about it)
.
Let us talk about the problem and try to settle things.
T
OM
: Bill! Bill! I'm sorry about our argument. Let's talk. B
ILL
: Get lost!
S
ALLY
: I've got a real problem. B
OB
: Let's talk about it.

level the playing field
to make things fair and balanced for all people concerned.
It really isn't fair that you should get the first choice of everything just because the boss is your uncle. We need to do something to level the playing field around here
.
A: Come on
,
you guys! Let's level the playing field. Throw Bob off the team and put me on! B: How does that level the playing field?

Life's been good (to me)
.
I am grateful that I am doing well in life.
I can't complain. Life's been good to me
.
I'm doing fine. Life's been good.

Like I care
!
AND
As if (I cared)
!
What makes you think I could possibly care?; I don't care at all!
A
NN
: He treated me soooo badly. He took me to the prom in a crummy car, failed to pay me any attention all evening, and then wanted to leave early. J
AN
: Like I care! I didn't even have a date to the prom
.
J
OHN
: I expect you to greet everyone at the door with a smile on your face and a friendly word for each of my guests. J
AN
: As if!

like I said
AND
as I said
as I said (before); to repeat myself; as I said previously. (The first entry is more prevalent but less acceptable in style.)
Like I said, we have more serious problems than the ones you know about
.
It's time we began to take him seriously. Like I said, he needs our support.

like I was saying
Go to as I was saying.

Like it or lump it
!
There is no other choice. Take that or none. (Slang.)
J
OHN
: I don't like this room. It's too small. B
ILL
: Like it or lump it. That's all we've got
.
J
ANE
: I don't want to be talked to like that. S
UE
: Well, like it or lump it! That's the way we talk around here.