Common American Phrases in Everyday Contexts (216 page)

Under no circumstances
.
AND
Not under any circumstances
.
never.
A
NDREW
: Under no circumstances will I ever go back there again! R
ACHEL
: Why? What happened?
S
UE
: Can I talk you into serving as a referee again? M
ARY
: Heavens, no! Not under any circumstances!

under normal circumstances
normally; usually; typically.
“We'd be able to keep the dog at home under normal circumstances,” said Mary to the vet
.
“Under normal circumstances you'd be able to return to work in a week,” explained the doctor.

under oath
bound by an oath; having taken an oath.
You must tell the truth because you are under oath
.
I was placed under oath before I could testify in the trial.

Until later
.
Go to (Good-bye) until then.

Until next time
.
Go to Good-bye for now.

Until then
.
Go to (Good-bye) until then.

Until we meet again
.
Go to Good-bye for now.

Use your head
!
Start thinking!; Use your brain!
T
OM
: I just don't know what to do. M
ARY
: Use your head! You'll figure out something
.
A
NDREW
: Come on, John, you can figure it out. A kindergartner could do it. Use your head! J
OHN
: I'm doing my best.

used to
do something to have done something [customarily] in the past.
We used to go swimming in the lake before it became polluted
.
I used to eat nuts, but then I became allergic to them.

Vamoose
!
Get out!; Go away! (From Spanish
vamos
, “let's go.”)
B
OB
: Go on. Get out of here! Vamoose! B
ILL
: I'm going! I'm going!
B
OB
: Go away! B
ILL
: What? B
OB
: Vamoose! Scram! Beat it! B
ILL
: Why? B
OB
: Because you're a pain.