Common American Phrases in Everyday Contexts (112 page)

I'm (just) dying to know
.
I am very eager to find something out. (Also in other persons.)
J
AN
: I'm not sure if I am supposed to tell you when Mary is leaving for New York. A
NN
: Oh, please! I'm just dying to know
.
I'm just dying to know what our new address will be. I'm hoping for Paris.

(I'm) just getting by
.
an expression indicating that one is just surviving financially or otherwise.
B
OB
: How you doing, Tom? T
OM
: Just getting by, Bob
.
“I wish I could get a better job,” remarked Tom. “I'm just getting by as it is.
”

(I'm just) minding my own business
.
an answer to a greeting inquiry asking what one is doing. (This answer also can carry the implication “Since I am minding my own business, why aren't you minding your own business?”)
T
OM
: Hey, man, what are you doing? B
ILL
: Minding my own business. See you around
.
S
UE
: Hi, Mary. What have you been doing? M
ARY
: I'm just minding my own business and trying to keep out of trouble.

(I'm) (just) plugging along
.
I am doing satisfactorily.; I am just managing to function.
B
ILL
: How are things going? B
OB
: I'm just plugging along
.
S
UE
: How are you doing, Fred? F
RED
: Just plugging along, thanks. And you? S
UE
: About the same.

(I'm) (just) thinking out loud
.
I'm saying things that might better remain as private thoughts. (A way of characterizing or introducing one's opinions or thoughts. Also past tense.)
S
UE
: What are you saying, anyway? Sounds like you're scolding someone. B
OB
: Oh, sorry. I was just thinking out loud
.
B
OB
: Now, this goes over here. B
ILL
: You want me to move that? B
OB
: Oh, no. Just thinking out loud.

I'm like you
.
an expression introducing a statement of a similarity that the speaker shares with the person spoken to.
M
ARY
: And what do you think about this pair? J
ANE
: I'm like you, I like the ones with lower heels
.
“I'm like you,” confided Fred. “I think everyone ought to pay the same amount.
”