Common American Phrases in Everyday Contexts (191 page)

Speak of the devil
.
a phrase said when someone whose name has just been mentioned suddenly appears on the scene. (Compare to We were just talking about you.)
T
OM
: Speak of the devil, here comes Bill. M
ARY
: We were just talking about you, Bill
.
J
OHN
: I wonder how Fred is doing in his new job. F
RED
: Hi, you two. What's up? J
OHN
: Speak of the devil. Look who's here!

Speak up
.
Please speak more loudly.; Do not be shy—speak more loudly.
“Speak up. I can hardly hear you,” said Uncle Henry, cupping his hand to his ear
.
M
ARY
: I'm sorry. T
EACHER
: Speak up. M
ARY
: I'm sorry, ma'am. I won't do it again.

Speaking
.
AND
This is
someone. I am the person you have just asked for (on the telephone). (The
someone
can be a person's name or
he
or
she
.)
T
OM
: Hello? M
ARY
: Is Tom there? T
OM
: Speaking
.
T
OM
: Hello? M
ARY
: Is Tom there? T
OM
: This is he.

speaking (quite) candidly
an expression introducing a frank or forthright statement.
Speaking quite candidly, I find your behavior a bit offensive, stated Frank, obviously offended
.
M
ARY
: Tell me what you really think about this skirt. S
ALLY
: Speaking candidly, I think you should get your money back.

(speaking) (quite) frankly
AND
frankly speaking
a transitional phrase announcing that the speaker is going to talk in a more familiar and totally forthright manner.
T
OM
: Speaking quite
frankly, I'm not certain she's the one for the job. M
ARY
: I agree
.
B
OB
: We ought to be looking at housing in a lower price bracket. B
ILL
: Quite frankly, I agree
.
“Frankly speaking,” said John, “I think you're out of your mind!
”

spend (some) quality time with
someone to spend time, giving lots of attention and being solicitous to someone, especially with one's family. (See also have some face time with someone.)
I spent some quality time with my wife this weekend
.
I need to stop working at home on the weekends and spend some quality time with my kids.