Common American Phrases in Everyday Contexts (108 page)

I'll thank you to mind your own business
.
a polite version of Mind your own business. (Shows a little anger.)
T
OM
: How much did this cost? J
ANE
: I'll thank you to mind your own business
.
B
OB
: Is your house in your name or your brother's? J
OHN
: I'll thank you to mind your own business.

(I'll) try to catch you later
.
Go to (I'll) try to catch you some other time.

(I'll) try to catch you
some other time
.
AND
(I'll) try to catch you later.; I'll try to see you later
.
We do not have time to talk now, so I'll try to see you later.
B
ILL
: I need to get your signature on this contract. S
UE
: I really don't have a second to spare right now. B
ILL
: Okay, I'll try to catch you some other time. S
UE
: Later this afternoon would be fine
.
B
ILL
: I'm sorry for the interruptions, Tom. Things are very busy right now. T
OM
: I'll try to see you later.

I'll try to see you later
.
Go to (I'll) try to catch you some other time.

(I'm) able to sit up and take (a little) nourishment
.
I am well.; I'm (feeling) good. (Also a jocular response to “How are you?” As if one had been recuperating from a disease and had been lying in bed.)
Q: How are you doing? Any better? A: Oh, able to sit up and take nourishment
.
Q: I see you are doing pretty well with your jogging. How are you feeling? A: Well, I guess I'm able to sit up and take nourishment okay.

(I'm) afraid not
.
AND
'Fraid not
.
I believe, regrettably, that the answer is no. (The apostrophe is not always used.)
R
ACHEL
: Can I expect any help with this problem? H
ENRY
: I'm afraid not
.
A
NDREW
: Will you be there when I get there? B
ILL
: Afraid not.

(I'm) afraid so
.
AND
'Fraid so
.
I believe, regrettably, that the answer is yes. (The apostrophe is not always used.)
A
LICE
: Do you have to go? J
OHN
: Afraid so
.
R
ACHEL
: Can I expect some difficulty with Mr. Franklin? B
OB
: I'm afraid so.

I'm all ears
.
Go to I'm listening.

I'm as hungry as a bear
.
I am very hungry.
What's for dinner? I'm as hungry as a bear.
I'm as hungry as a bear, and I'll eat almost anything—except okra.