Common American Phrases in Everyday Contexts (114 page)

I'm not picky
.
What you are offering me or suggesting is quite satisfactory, since I am easy to please.
M
OTHER
: These cookies are a little brown on the bottom, but they're quite tasty. H
ANNA
: Thanks. I'm not picky. They look great to me
.
D
AN
(speaking to the room clerk): I'm not picky, but I really would prefer a room that doesn't look out on all the trash cans.

I'm only looking
.
AND
(I'm) just looking
.
I am not a buyer, I am only examining your merchandise. (A phrase said to a shopkeeper or clerk who asks, May I help you?)
C
LERK
: May I help you?
M
ARY
: No, thanks. I'm only looking
.
C
LERK
: May I help you? J
ANE
: I'm just looking, thank you.

I'm out of here
.
I am going to leave immediately. (Slang. The
out of
is usually pronounced
outta
.)
J
OHN
: I'm out of here. J
ANE
: Bye
.
S
ALLY
: Getting late. I'm out of here. S
UE
: Me, too. Let's go.

(I'm) pleased to meet you
.
an expression said when one is introduced to someone.
T
OM
: I'm Tom Thomas. B
ILL
: Pleased to meet you. I'm Bill Franklin
.
J
OHN
: Have you met Sally Hill? B
ILL
: I don't believe I've had the pleasure. I'm pleased to meet you, Sally. S
ALLY
: My pleasure, Bill.

I'm (really) fed up (with
someone or something). I have had enough of someone or something, and something must be done.
T
OM
: This place is really dull. J
OHN
: Yeah. I'm fed up with it. I'm out of here!
S
ALLY
: Can't you do anything right? B
ILL
: I'm really fed up with you! You're always picking on me!

I'm on it
.
I am doing it now, or I will do it as soon as possible.
A
NDY
: You are supposed to be doing the accounts for this month. D
ON
: I'm on it, I'm on it!
I knew the boss was after me to get the report done on time. I was working on it when he called me the third time. “I'm on it, Chief,” I said, sort of fibbing, but sincere this time.