Common American Phrases in Everyday Contexts (187 page)

So be it
.
That is the way it shall be.; It shall be as just described.
A: I really want you to complete this list of things even if you have to work through the night. B: So be it. But you had better pay me well.
If that is the way you want us to remember you, so be it. But you shouldn't burn your bridges behind you.

So do I
.
I do too.
M
ARY
: I want some more cake. S
ALLY
: So do I
.
B
OB
: I have to go home now. T
OM
: So do I. B
OB
: Bye.

so mad I could scream
very mad.
I am just so mad I could scream! Why is he such a jerk?
She makes me so mad I could scream.

So much for that
.
That is the end of that.; We will not be dealing with that anymore.
John tossed the stub of a pencil into the trash. “So much for that,” he muttered, fishing through his drawer for
another.
M
OTHER
: Here, try some carrots. C
HILD
(brushing the spoon aside): No! No! M
OTHER
: Well, so much for that.

So much the better
.
That is even better (than expected or desired).
Tom, if you decide to leave now and pick up Jean at the airport, so much the better. It will save a lot of time in the long run
.
A: She finally agreed to use the old ones rather than replace them. B: So much the better. The new ones are really cheaply made.

so soon
early; before the regular time; ahead of schedule.
I got there early because my bus arrived so soon
.
Because the meeting ended so soon, I had some extra time.

so to speak
AND
in a manner of speaking
a way of saying something and softening the impact of the words one used—at the same time.
I was so mad that I just kicked him in the butt, so to speak
.
Well, she was, his, ah, girlfriend, in a manner of speaking.