Common American Phrases in Everyday Contexts (236 page)

Where is your powder room?
Go to Could I use your powder room?

Where there's smoke, there's fire
.
Wherever there are signs of a problem, the problem almost certainly exists.
Q: Should we investigate the complaints of rude remarks on the production line? A: Of course. Where there is smoke, there's fire
.
A
NDY
: He thinks his wife is seeing someone. D
AN
: Well, where there's smoke, there's fire.

Where will I find you?
Please give me directions for finding you. (Said when people are arranging to meet somewhere.)
S
UE
: Where will I find you? B
OB
: I'll be sitting in the third row somewhere
.
T
OM
: We'll get to the farm about noon. Where will we find you? S
ALLY
: Probably in the barn. If you can't find me, just go up to the house and make yourself comfortable on the porch.

Where's the fire?
Where are you going in such a hurry? (Typically said by a police officer to a speeding driver.)
O
FFICER
: Okay, where's the fire? M
ARY
: Was I going a little fast?
“Where's the fire?” Bob called ahead to Sue, who had gotten well ahead of him in her excitement.

which brings me to the (main) point
a transitional phrase that introduces the main point of a discussion.
B
ILL
: Keeping safe at times like this is very important—which brings me to the main point. Does your house have an adequate burglar alarm? S
ALLY
: I knew you were trying to sell me something! Out!
L
ECTURER
: … which brings me to the point. J
OHN
(whispering): Thank heavens! I knew there was a point to all this.

Who cares?
Does anyone really care?; It is of no consequence.
J
OHN
: I have some advice for you. It will make things easier for you. B
OB
: Who cares? J
OHN
: You might
.
S
UE
: You missed a spot shaving. F
RED
: Who cares?

Who do you think you are?
Why do you think you can lord it over people that way?; Why are you so arrogant? (Usually said in anger.)
T
OM
: Just a minute! Who do you think you are? You can't talk to me that way! B
OB
: Says who?
“Who do you think you are, bursting in here like that?” sputtered the doorman as Fred bolted into the club lobby.