Common American Phrases in Everyday Contexts (145 page)

Like it's such a big deal
!
It really isn't all that important! (Informal. Sarcastic.)
So I dropped the glass. Like it's such a big deal
.
Like it's such a big deal. Who cares?

like to hear
oneself
talk
[for someone] to enjoy one's own talking more than other people enjoy listening to it.
I guess I don't really have anything to say. I just like to hear myself talk, I guess
.
There he goes again. He just likes to hear himself talk.

like you say
Go to as you say.

like(ly) as not
Go to (as) like(ly) as not.

Likewise(, I'm sure)
.
The same from my point of view.
A
LICE
: I'm delighted to make your acquaintance. B
OB
: Likewise, I'm sure
.
J
OHN
: How nice to see you! S
UE
: Likewise. J
OHN
: Where are you from, Sue?

little by little
AND
bit by bit
a small amount at a time; gradually.
A
NDY
: Why are you so slow, Don? When on earth will this job get done? D
ON
: Don't worry. I'll get it done little by little
.
I can't pay you everything I owe you all at once. I'll have to pay it off bit by bit.

live up to
one's
end of the bargain
to carry through on a bargain; to do as was promised in an agreement.
You can't quit now. You have to live up to your end of the bargain
.
Bob isn't living up to his end of the bargain, so I am going to sue him.

Long time no see
.
I have not seen you in a long time.; We have not seen each other in a long time.
T
OM
: Hi, Fred. Where have you been keeping yourself? F
RED
: Good to see you, Tom. Long time no see
.
J
OHN
: It's Bob! Hi, Bob! B
OB
: Hi, John! Long time no see.

look
a sentence opener seeking the attention of the person spoken to. (Words such as this often use intonation to convey the connotation of the sentence that is to follow. The brief intonation pattern accompanying the word may indicate sarcasm, disagreement, caution, consolation, sternness, etc. See also look here.)
S
UE
: How could you! F
RED
: Look, I didn't mean to
.
A
NDREW
: Look, can't we talk about it? S
UE
: There's no more to be said
.
J
OHN
: I'm so sorry! A
NDREW
: Look, we all make mistakes
.
“Look, let me try again,” begged Fred
.
A
NDREW
: Look, I've just about had it with you! S
ALLY
: And I've had it with you
.
A
NDREW
: Look, that can't be right. R
ACHEL
: But it is.