Common American Phrases in Everyday Contexts (168 page)

Oh, sure
(someone or something
will)
!
a sarcastic expression implying that someone or something will not do something or that something will not happen as claimed.
A
NDREW
: Don't worry. I'll do it. R
ACHEL
: Oh, sure you will! That's what you always say
.
B
OB
: I'll fix this fence the first chance I get. M
ARY
: Oh, sure! When will that be? Next year?

Oh, yeah?
Is that what you think? (Rude and hostile.)
T
OM
: You're getting to be sort of a pest. B
ILL
: Oh, yeah? T
OM
: Yeah
.
B
OB
: This sauce tastes bad. I think you ruined it. B
ILL
: Oh, yeah? What makes you think so? B
OB
: My tongue tells me!

OK
.
Go to Okay.

O.K
.
Go to Okay.

Okay
.
AND
OK.; O.K. 1
.
Yes.; All right.
J
OHN
: Can we go now? S
UE
: Okay. Let's go.
M
ARY
: Can I have one of these? F
RED
: Okay. M
ARY
: Thanks
.
2
.
an expression indicating that the speaker accepts the current situation. (Not an answer to a question.)
“Okay, we're all here. Let's go now,” said Tom
.
B
ILL
: Okay, I can see the house now. R
ACHEL
: This must be where we turn, then
.
3
.
(usually
Okay?
) a question word asking if the person spoken to accepts the current situation. (Very close to sense 1.)
B
ILL
: I'm going to turn here, okay? R
ACHEL
: Sure. It looks like the right place
.
A
NDREW
: I'll take this one, okay? M
ARY
: Yes, that's okay.

Okay by me
.
Go to (That's) fine with me.

Okay with me
.
Go to (That's) fine with me.

on balance
Go to all in all.

on the contrary
a phrase disagreeing with a previous statement.
T
OM
: It's rather warm today. B
OB
: On the contrary, I find it too cool
.
M
ARY
: I hear that you aren't too happy about my decision. S
UE
: On the contrary, I find it fair and reasonable.