Common American Phrases in Everyday Contexts (125 page)

(It's) been good to talk to you
.
Go to (It's been) good talking to you.

(It's been) nice talking to you
.
Go to (It's been) good talking to you.

(It's) better than nothing
.
Having something that is not satisfactory is better than having nothing at all.
J
OHN
: How do you like your dinner? J
ANE
: It's better than nothing. J
OHN
: That bad, huh?
J
OHN
: Did you see your room? How do you like it? J
ANE
: Well, I guess it's better than nothing.

(It's) close enough for government work
.
fairly close or accurate. (Jocular.)
I can do math pretty well. Close enough for government work, anyway
.
This isn't quite right, but it's close enough for government work.

It's for you
.
This telephone call is for you.
H
ENRY
: Hello? F
RED
: Hello. Is Bill there? H
ENRY
: Hey, Bill! It's for you. B
ILL
: Thanks. Hello?
“It's for you,” said Mary, handing the telephone receiver to Sally.

(It's) good to be here
.
AND
(It's) nice to be here
.
I feel welcome in this place.
J
OHN
: I'm so glad you could come. J
ANE
: Thank you. It's good to be here
.
A
LICE
: Welcome to our house! J
OHN
: Thank you. It's nice to be here.

(It's) good to have you here
.
AND
(It's) nice to have you here
.
Welcome to this place.; It is good that you are here.
J
OHN
: It's good to have you here. J
ANE
: Thank you for asking me
.
A
LICE
: Oh, I'm so glad I came! F
RED
: Nice to have you here.

(It's) good to hear your voice
.
a polite phrase said upon beginning or ending a telephone conversation.
B
OB
: Hello? B
ILL
: Hello, it's Bill. B
OB
: Hello, Bill. It's good to hear your voice
.
B
ILL
: Hello
,
Tom. This is Bill. T
OM
: It's good to hear your voice. What's cooking?