Common American Phrases in Everyday Contexts (191 page)

Speak of the devil
.
a phrase said when someone whose name has just been mentioned suddenly appears on the scene. (Compare to We were just talking about you.)
T
OM
: Speak of the devil, here comes Bill. M
ARY
: We were just talking about you, Bill
.
J
OHN
: I wonder how Fred is doing in his new job. F
RED
: Hi, you two. What's up? J
OHN
: Speak of the devil. Look who's here!

Speak up
.
Please speak more loudly.; Do not be shy—speak more loudly.
“Speak up. I can hardly hear you,” said Uncle Henry, cupping his hand to his ear
.
M
ARY
: I'm sorry. T
EACHER
: Speak up. M
ARY
: I'm sorry, ma'am. I won't do it again.

Speaking
.
AND
This is
someone. I am the person you have just asked for (on the telephone). (The
someone
can be a person's name or
he
or
she
.)
T
OM
: Hello? M
ARY
: Is Tom there? T
OM
: Speaking
.
T
OM
: Hello? M
ARY
: Is Tom there? T
OM
: This is he.

speaking (quite) candidly
an expression introducing a frank or forthright statement.
Speaking quite candidly, I find your behavior a bit offensive, stated Frank, obviously offended
.
M
ARY
: Tell me what you really think about this skirt. S
ALLY
: Speaking candidly, I think you should get your money back.

(speaking) (quite) frankly
AND
frankly speaking
a transitional phrase announcing that the speaker is going to talk in a more familiar and totally forthright manner.
T
OM
: Speaking quite
frankly, I'm not certain she's the one for the job. M
ARY
: I agree
.
B
OB
: We ought to be looking at housing in a lower price bracket. B
ILL
: Quite frankly, I agree
.
“Frankly speaking,” said John, “I think you're out of your mind!

spend (some) quality time with
someone to spend time, giving lots of attention and being solicitous to someone, especially with one's family. (See also have some face time with someone.)
I spent some quality time with my wife this weekend
.
I need to stop working at home on the weekends and spend some quality time with my kids.

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