Common American Phrases in Everyday Contexts (238 page)

Who could have thought?
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Who would 'a thunk?
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Who would have thought?
AND
Who could have thought?;

Who would 'a thunk?; Who'd 'a thunk?
Who could have imagined (that such a thing could be)? (
Thunk
is an imaginary past participle of
think
, as in
think, thank, thunk. Thunk
is used only in this expression. The
'a
can also be represented in print as
a
.)
Tom's not only a race car driver but an accomplished saxophone player. Who'd 'a thunk?
A: The boss's secretary turns out to be an escaped convict who is wanted in three states. B: Wow! Who would have thought?

Whoa
!
Stop! (An instruction—ordering a horse to stop—said to a person.)
B
OB
: First, slip the disk into this slot, and then do a directory command to see what's on it. J
OHN
: Whoa! You lost me back at “slip the disk …
”
“Whoa!” shouted Tom at Bill. “Don't move any more in that direction. The floor is rotten there.
”

Who'd 'a thunk?
Go to Who would have thought?

Whoops
!
a phrase indicating that an error has been made by someone.
“Whoops! I think you meant flout, not flaunt,” corrected Sally
.
“Whoops! I meant to say mature, not old,” said Kate.

Who's calling(, please)?
Who is this making this telephone call?
R
ACHEL
: Yes, Tom is here. Who's calling, please? T
OM
: Who is it? R
ACHEL
: It's Fred
.
F
RED
(answering the phone): Hello? T
OM
: Hello, is Bill there? F
RED
: Who's calling, please? T
OM
: This is Tom Wilson returning his call.

Who's on the line?
Go to Who's on the phone?

Who's on the phone?
AND
Who's on the line?
Who is on the telephone line now?; Who just now called on the telephone? (The caller may still be waiting.)
Bill was on the telephone, and Mary walked by. “Who's on the phone?” asked Mary, hoping the call was for her
.
Tom asked, “Who's on the line?” Mary covered the receiver and said, “None of your business!
”

Who's there?
AND
Who is it?
a question asking who is on the other side of a door or concealed from the speaker.
Hearing a noise, Tom called out in the darkness, “Who's there?
”
Hearing a knock, Mary went to the door and said, “Who is it?
”