Common American Phrases in Everyday Contexts (165 page)

Nothing doing
!
I will not permit it!; I will not participate in it!
J
OHN
: Can I put this box in your suitcase? B
ILL
: Nothing doing! It's too heavy now
.
S
UE
: We decided that you should drive us to the airport. Do you mind? J
ANE
: Nothing doing! I've got work to do.

Nothing for me, thanks
.
I do not want any of what was offered. (Typically used to decline a serving of food or drink.)
W
AITER
: Would you care for dessert? B
OB
: Nothing for me, thanks
.
B
OB
:
We have beer and wine. Which would you like? M
ARY
: Nothing for me, thanks.

Nothing much
.
Not much.; Hardly anything.; Nothing of importance.
J
OHN
: Hey, man! How's by you? B
OB
: Hiya! Nothing much
.
B
ILL
: What have you been doing? T
OM
: Nothing much.

Nothing to complain about
.
Go to (I) can't complain.

Nothing to it
!
Go to (There's) nothing to it!

now
a sentence opener having no specific meaning. (See also now, now. 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.)
J
OHN
: I'm totally disgusted with you. B
OB
: Now, don't get angry!
A
NDREW
: I'm fighting mad. Why did you do that? B
ILL
: Now, let's talk this over
.
A
NDREW
: Now, try it again, slowly this time. S
ALLY
: How many times do I have to rehearse this piece?
F
RED
: Now, who do you think you are? T
OM
: Well, who do you think you are, asking me that question?

now, now
a calming and consoling phrase that introduces good advice.
“Now, now, don't cry,” said the mother to the tiny baby
.
J
ANE
: I'm so upset! A
NDREW
: Now, now, everything will work out all right.