Common American Phrases in Everyday Contexts (16 page)

believe it or not
an expression indicating that a previous statement is true whether or not the hearer believes it.
T
OM
: Well, Fred really saved the day. S
UE
: Believe it or not, I'm the one who saved the day
.
B
ILL
: How good is this one? C
LERK
: This is the best one we have, believe it or not.

Believe you me
!
You really should believe me!; You'd better take my word for it!
A
LICE
: Is it hot in that room? F
RED
: It really is. Believe you me!
S
UE
: How do you like my cake? J
OHN
: Believe you me, this is the best cake I've ever eaten!

(The)
best of luck (to you)
.
I wish you good luck.
A
LICE
: Goodbye, Bill. B
ILL
: Goodbye, Alice. Best of luck. A
LICE
: Thanks. Bye
.
“Good-bye, and the best of luck to you,” shouted Mary, waving and crying at the same time.

Better be going
.
Go to (I'd) better be going.

Better be off
.
Go to (I'd) better be going.

Better get moving
.
Go to (I'd) better get moving. See also (You'd) better get moving.

Better get on my horse
.
Go to (I'd) better get on my horse.

Better hit the road
.
Go to (It's) time to hit the road.

Better keep quiet about it
.
Go to (Someone had) better keep still about it.

Better keep still about it
.
Go to (Someone had) better keep still about it.

Better late than never
.
a catchphrase said when someone arrives late or when something happens or is done late.
M
ARY
: Hi, Tom. Sorry I'm late. B
ILL
: Fret not! Better late than never
.
When Fred showed up at the doctor's office three days after his appointment, the receptionist said, “Well, better late than never.
”

better left unsaid
[of a topic that] should not be discussed; [of a thought that] everyone is thinking, but would cause difficulty if talked about in public. (Typically follows
It is …, That is …, The details are …
, or even
Some things are …
)
M
ARY
: I really don't know how to tell you this. B
OB
: Then don't. Maybe it's better left unsaid
.
B
ILL
: I had a such a terrible fight with Sally last night. I can't believe what I said. B
OB
: I don't need to hear all about it. Some things are better left unsaid.

Better luck next time. 1
.
an expression that comforts someone for a minor failure. (Said with a pleasant tone of voice.)
B
ILL
: That does it! I can't run any farther. I lose! B
OB
: Too bad. Better luck next time
.
M
ARY
: Well, that's the end of my brand-new weight-lifting career. J
ANE
: Better luck next time
.
2
.
an expression that ridicules someone for a failure. (Said with rudeness or sarcasm. The tone of voice distinguishes sense 2 from sense 1.)
S
ALLY
: I lost out to Sue, but I think she cheated. M
ARY
: Better luck next time
.
S
UE
: You thought you could get ahead of me, you twit! Better luck next time! S
ALLY
: I still think you cheated.