Common American Phrases in Everyday Contexts (180 page)

say grace
to say a prayer of gratitude before a meal.
Grandfather always says grace at Thanksgiving
.
A local preacher said grace at the banquet.

Say hello to
someone
(for me)
.
Please convey my good wishes to someone. (The
someone
can be a person's name or a pronoun. See also Give my best to someone.; Remember me to someone.)
A
NDREW
: Good-bye, Tom. Say hello to your brother for me. T
OM
: Sure. Bye, Andy
.
S
ALLY
: Well, good-bye. M
ARY
: Bye. S
ALLY
: And say hello to Jane. M
ARY
: Sure. Bye-bye.

Say no more
.
I agree.; I will do it.; I concede, no need to continue talking.
J
OHN
: Someone ought to take this stuff outside. B
ILL
: Say no more. Consider it done
.
M
ARY
: Shouldn't we turn here if we plan to visit Jane? A
LICE
: Say no more. Here we go.

Say what?
What did you say?; Please repeat what you said.
S
ALLY
: Would you like some more salad? F
RED
: Say what? S
ALLY
: Salad? Would you like some more salad?
J
OHN
: Put this one over there. S
UE
: Say what? J
OHN
: Never mind, I'll do it.

Say when
.
Tell me when I have given you enough of something. (Usually a liquid. Sometimes answered with
When.
)
T
OM
(pouring milk into Fred's glass): Say when, Fred. F
RED
: When
.
J
OHN
: Do you want some more juice? M
ARY
: Yes. J
OHN
: Okay. Say when.

Says me
!
the contentious response to Says who?
B
ILL
: I think you're making a mess of this project. B
OB
: Says who? B
ILL
: Says me!
J
OHN
: What do you mean I shouldn't have done it? Says who? M
ARY
: Says me!

Says who?
Who do you think you are to say that?
T
OM
: Fred, you sure can be dumb sometimes. F
RED
: Says who? T
OM
: Says me!
B
ILL
: You take this dog out of here right now! B
OB
: Says who? B
ILL
: Says me!