Common American Phrases in Everyday Contexts (131 page)

I've been there
.
I know exactly what you are talking about.; I know exactly what you are going through.
J
OHN
: Wow! Those sales meetings really wear me out! J
ANE
: I know what you mean. I've been there
.
S
UE
: These employment interviews are very tiring. B
OB
: I know it! I've been there.

(I've) been under the weather
.
a greeting response indicating that one has been ill.
J
OHN
: How have you been? S
ALLY
: I've been under the weather, but I'm better
.
D
OCTOR
: How are you? M
ARY
: I've been under the weather. D
OCTOR
: Maybe we can fix that. What seems to be the trouble?

(I've) been up to no good
.
a vague greeting response indicating that one has been doing mischief.
J
OHN
: What have you been doing, Tom? T
OM
: Oh, I've been up to no good, as usual. J
OHN
: Yeah. Me, too
.
M
ARY
: Been keeping busy as usual? S
UE
: Yeah. Been up to no good, as usual. M
ARY
: I should have known.

(I've) (got) better things to do
.
AND
I have better things to do
.
There are better ways to spend my time.; I cannot waste any more time on this matter.
A
NDREW
: Good-bye. I've got better things to do than stand around here listening to you brag. H
ENRY
: Well, goodbye and good riddance
.
M
ARY
: How did things go at your meeting with the zoning board? S
ALLY
: I gave up. Can't fight city hall. Better things to do.

(I've) got to be shoving off
.
Go to (I) have to shove off.

(I've) got to fly
.
a phrase announcing one's need to depart. (Go to (I) have to shove off for other possible variations.)
B
ILL
: Well
,
time's up. I've got to fly. B
OB
: Oh, it's early yet. Stay a while. B
ILL
: Sorry. I got to go
.
“It's past lunchtime. I've got to fly,” said Alice.

(I've) got to get moving
. a phrase announcing one's need to depart. (Go to (I) have to shove off for other possible variations.)
B
ILL
: Time to go. Got to get moving. S
ALLY
: Bye, Tom
.
M
ARY
: It's late and I've got to get moving. S
UE
: Well, if you must, okay. Come again sometime. M
ARY
: Bye.