Common American Phrases in Everyday Contexts (116 page)

(I'm) (very) glad to meet you
.
a polite expression said to a person to whom one has just been introduced.
M
ARY
: I'd like you to meet my brother, Tom. B
ILL
: I'm very glad to meet you, Tom
.
J
ANE
: Hi! I'm Jane. B
OB
: Glad to meet you. I'm Bob.

I'm with you
.
Go to I'm with you on that (one).

I'm with you on that (one)
.
AND
I'm with you
.
I agree with you (in this instance). (With a stress on both
I
and
you
.)
H
ANNA
: I think that everyone ought to be told to clean up the kitchen after they eat. I
DA
: I'm with you on that
.
A: The government is spending too damn much money! B: I'm with you on that one
.
S
ALLY
: I think this old bridge is sort of dangerous. J
ANE
: I'm with you. Let's go back another way.

Imagine that
!
Go to Fancy that!

in a manner of speaking
Go to so to speak.

in any case
a phrase that introduces or follows a conclusion.
J
ANE
: In any case, I want you to do this. J
OHN
: All right. I'll do it
.
M
ARY
: This one may or may not work out. S
UE
: In any case, I can do it if necessary.

in black and white
printed, as in a contract.
The terms of the agreement were printed in black and white
.
I have your very words right here in black and white.

in denial
in a state of refusing to believe something that is true.
Mary was in denial about her illness and refused treatment.
Tom doesn't think he's an alcoholic. He's still in denial.

in general
referring to the entire class being discussed; speaking of the entire range of possibilities; in most situations or circumstances.
I like vegetables in general, but not beets
.
In general, I prefer a hotel room on a lower floor, but will take a higher room if it's special.