Common American Phrases in Everyday Contexts (211 page)

a
thing of the past
something that is old-fashioned or obsolete. (See also What's the world coming to?)
Taking off hats in elevators is a thing of the past
.
Q: What happened to good old decency and respect for others? A: Sure seems like it's a thing of the past.

(Things) could be better
.
AND
(I) could be better.; (Things) might be better
.
an answer to a greeting inquiry meaning “Life is not as good as it might be.” (Not necessarily a direct answer.)
J
OHN
: How are things going, Fred? F
RED
: Things could be better. And you? J
OHN
: About the same
.
B
OB
: Hi, Bill! How are you? B
ILL
: I could be better. What's new with you? B
OB
: Nothing much.

(Things) could be worse
.
AND
(I) could be worse
.
an answer to a greeting inquiry meaning “My state is not as bad as it might be.” (Not necessarily a direct answer.)
J
OHN
: How are you, Fred? F
RED
: Things could be worse. And you? J
OHN
: Okay, I guess
.
B
OB
: Hi, Bob! What's happening? B
OB
: I could be worse. What's new with you?

Things getting you down?
Go to (Are) things getting you down?

Things haven't been easy
.
Go to (It) hasn't been easy.

(Things) might be better
.
Go to (Things) could be better.

Things will work out (all right)
.
AND
Everything will work out (all right).; Everything will work out for the best.; Things will work out for the best
.
The situation will reach a satisfactory conclusion.; The problem(s) will be resolved.
“Cheer up!” Mary said to a gloomy Fred. “Things will work out all right.
”
M
ARY
: Oh, I'm so miserable! B
ILL
: Don't worry. Everything will work out for the best
.
“Now, now, don't cry. Things will work out,” consoled Sally, hoping that what she was saying was really true.

Things will work out for the best
.
Go to Things will work out (all right).

Think nothing of it
.
AND
Don't give it another thought.; Don't give it a (second) thought. 1
.
You're welcome.; It was nothing.; I was glad to do it.
M
ARY
: Thank you so much for driving me home. J
OHN
: Think nothing of it
.
S
UE
: It was very kind of you to bring these all the way out here. A
LICE
: Think nothing of it. I was delighted to do it
.
2
.
You did no harm at all. (A very polite way of reassuring someone that an action has not caused any great harm or hurt the speaker.)
S
UE
: Oh, sorry. I didn't mean to bump you! B
OB
: Think nothing of it
.
J
ANE
: I hope I didn't hurt your feelings when I said you were too loud. B
ILL
: Don't give it a second thought. I was too loud.