Common American Phrases in Everyday Contexts (221 page)

We're all (standing) behind you
.
AND
Everyone is (standing) behind you
.
Everyone is supporting you and is on your side.
I know that things are going badly for you, but you have our support. We're all standing behind you
.
Everyone is behind you on this, Fred. We hope you will press on and win in the long run
.
We are all standing behind you, no matter what.

(We're) delighted to have you
.
Go to (I'm) delighted to have you (here).

(We're) glad you could come
.
Go to (I'm) glad you could come.

(We're) glad you could drop by
.
Go to (I'm) glad you could drop by.

(We're) glad you could stop by
.
Go to (I'm) glad you could drop by.

Were you born in a barn?
an expression chiding someone who has left a door open or who is disorderly.
A
NDREW
: Close the door! Were you born in a barn? B
OB
: Sorry
.
F
RED
: Can't you clean this place up a little? Were you born in a barn? B
OB
: I call it the messy look.

We've had a lovely time
.
Go to I've had a lovely time.

What (a) nerve
!
AND
Of all the nerve
!
How rude!
B
OB
: Lady, get the devil out of my way! M
ARY
: What a nerve!
J
ANE
: You can't have that one! I saw it first! S
UE
: Of all the nerve! I can too have it!

What a pity
!
AND
What a shame
!
an expression of consolation meaning That's too bad. (Can also be used sarcastically.)
B
ILL
:
I'm sorry to tell you that the cat died today. M
ARY
: What a pity!
M
ARY
: The cake is ruined! S
ALLY
: What a shame!

What a shame
!
Go to What a pity!

What about it?
So what?; Do you want to argue about it? (Contentious.)
B
ILL
: I heard you were the one accused of breaking the window. T
OM
: Yeah? So, what about it?
M
ARY
: Your piece of cake is bigger than mine. S
UE
: What about it?

What about you? 1
.
What is your choice? (Compare to How about you?)
T
OM
: I'm having the pot roast and a cup of coffee. What about you? M
ARY
: I want something fattening and unhealthy
.
S
ALLY
: I prefer reds and purple for this room. What about you? M
ARY
: Well, purple's okay, but reds are a little warm for this room
.
2
.
What will happen to you?
M
ARY
: My parents are taking my brothers to the circus. S
UE
: What about you? M
ARY
: I have a piano lesson
.
M
ARY
: All my friends have been accepted to colleges. S
UE
: What about you? M
ARY
: Oh, I'm accepted too.