Common American Phrases in Everyday Contexts (157 page)

Night
.
Go to Good night.

Nighty-night
.
Good night. (As said to a child.)
F
ATHER
: Nighty-night, Bill. B
ILL
: Catch you later, Pop
.
The mother smiled at the tiny sleeping form and whispered, “Nighty-night, little one.
”

No big deal
!
Not a big problem! (Informal.)
It didn't hurt. No big deal!
It isn't a problem. No big deal!

No can do
.
I cannot do it. (The opposite of Can do.)
B
OB
: Can you do this now? S
ALLY
: Sorry. No can do
.
F
RED
: Will you be able to fix this, or do I have to buy a new one? A
LICE
: No can do. You'll have to buy one.

No chance
.
Go to (There is) no chance.

No comment
.
I have nothing to say on this matter.
Q: When did you stop beating your dog? A: No comment
.
Q: Georgie, did you chop down the cherry tree? A: No comment.

no doubt
a transitional or interpretative phrase strengthening the rest of a previous sentence.
S
UE
: Mary is giving this party for herself? R
ACHEL
: Yes. She'll expect us to bring gifts, no doubt
.
M
ARY
: All this talk about war has my cousin very worried. S
UE
: No doubt. At his age, I don't wonder.

No doubt about it
.
Go to (There is) no doubt about it.

No fair
!
That isn't fair!
B
ILL
: No fair! You cheated! B
OB
: I did not!
“No fair,” shouted Tom. “You stepped over the line!
”

No harm done
.
It is all right. No one or nothing has been harmed. (Informal.)
It's okay. No harm done
.
A: I am sorry I stepped on your toe. B: No harm done.