Common American Phrases in Everyday Contexts (219 page)

We were just talking about you
.
a phrase said when a person being discussed appears on the scene. (Compare to Speak of the devil.)
T
OM
: Speak of the devil, here comes Bill. M
ARY
: We were just talking about you, Bill
.
S
ALLY
(approaching Tom and Bill): Hi, Tom. Hi, Bill. What's new? B
ILL
: Oh, Sally! We were just talking about you.

Welcome
.
Come into this place. You are welcome here.
M
ARY
: Welcome. Please come in. T
OM
: Thank you so much
.
B
ILL
: I'm glad you could make it. Come in. Welcome. M
ARY
: Thanks. My, what a nice place you have here.

Welcome to our house
.
an expression said by a host or hostess when greeting guests and bringing them into the house.
A
NDREW
: Hello, Sally. Welcome to our house. Come on in. S
ALLY
: Thanks. It's good to be here
.
T
OM
: Welcome to our house. Make yourself at home. H
ENRY
: Thanks, I'm really tired.

Welcome to the club
!
Go to Join the club!

well
a sentence opener having no specific meaning, sometimes expressing reservation or indecision. (Words such as this often use intonation to convey the connotation of the sentence that is to follow. The brief intonation pattern accompanying the word may indicate sarcasm, disagreement, caution, consolation, sternness, etc.)
S
ALLY
: Can you take this downtown for me? A
NDREW
: Well, I don't know
.
“Well, I guess,” answered Tom, sort of unsure of himself
.
“Well, if you think you can treat me that way, you've got another think coming,” raged Betty
.
B
ILL
: What do you think about my haircut? J
ANE
: Well, it looks okay to me
.
S
UE
: I've decided to sell my car. M
ARY
: Well, if that's what you want
.
“Well, hello,” smiled Kate.

Well done
!
You did that nicely!
S
ALLY
: Well done, Tom. Excellent speech. T
OM
: Thanks
.
In the lobby after the play, Tom was met with a chorus of well-wishers saying, “Well done, Tom!
”