Common American Phrases in Everyday Contexts (155 page)

Name your poison
.
Go to What'll it be?

need I remind you that
a phrase that introduces a reminder. (A little haughty or parental.)
B
ILL
: Need I remind you that today is Friday? B
OB
(sarcastically): Gee, how else would I have known?
J
OHN
: Need I remind you that you must return immediately? J
ANE
: Sorry, I forgot.

Need I say more?
Is it necessary for me to say any more?
M
ARY
: There's grass to be mowed, weeds to be pulled, dishes to be done, carpets to be vacuumed, and there you sit! Need I say more? T
OM
: I'll get right on it
.
“This project needs to be finished before anyone sleeps tonight,” said Alice, hovering over the office staff. “Need I say more?
”

need
something
like a hole in the head
not to need something at all. (Informal.)
I need a housecat like I need a hole in the head!
She needs a car like she needs a hole in the head.

need
something
yesterday
to require something in a very big hurry. (Informal.)
Yes, I'm in a hurry! I need it yesterday!
When do I need it? Now! Now! No, I need it yesterday!

need to make a pit stop
to have to go to the toilet. (From auto racing, where a car makes a stop at a crew
pit
—from
grease pit
—for servicing.)
A
NDY
: Hey, Dad. When do we stop next? I really gotta go. F
ATHER
: I need to make a pit stop too. We'll try the next exit ramp
.
Anybody need to make a pit stop? This is your last chance. There are no more rest stops until we get to the other side of the city.

Neither can I
.
I cannot do that either.
B
ILL
: No matter what they do to them, I just can't stand sweet potatoes! B
OB
: Neither can I
.
J
OHN
: Let's go. I cannot tolerate the smoke in here. J
ANE
: Neither can I.

Neither do I
.
I do not do that either.
B
ILL
: No matter what they do to them, I just don't like sweet potatoes! B
OB
: Neither do I
.
J
ANE
: I really don't like what the city council is doing. F
RED
: Neither do I.