Common American Phrases in Everyday Contexts (30 page)

Could you handle it?
Go to Can you handle it?

Could you hold?
AND
Will you hold?
Do you mind if I put your telephone call on hold? (Also with
can
in place of
could
.)
“Could you hold?” asked the operator
.
S
UE
(answering the telephone): Hello. Acme Motors. Can you hold? B
OB
: I guess. S
UE
(after a while): Hello. Thank you for holding. Can I help you?

Could you keep a secret?
I am going to tell you something that I hope you will keep a secret. (Also used with
can
in place of
could
.)
T
OM
: Could you keep a secret? M
ARY
: Sure. T
OM
: Don't tell anybody, but I'm going to be a daddy
.
S
UE
: Can you keep a secret? A
LICE
: Of course. S
UE
: We're moving to Atlanta.

Couldn't ask for more
.
Go to (I) couldn't ask for more.

Couldn't be better
.
Go to (It) couldn't be better. See also (I) couldn't be better.

couldn't be happier
totally happy.
We are delighted. Couldn't be happier
.
They both couldn't be happier since they got married.

Couldn't be helped
.
Go to (It) can't be helped.

Could(n't) care less
.
Go to (I) could(n't) care less.

Couldn't help it
.
Go to (I) couldn't help it.

curdle
someone's
blood
to frighten or disgust someone severely.
The story was scary enough to curdle your blood.
The terrible scream was enough to curdle my blood.

Cut it out
!
Stop doing that!; Stop saying that! (Colloquial and familiar.)
S
UE
: Why, I think you have a crush on Mary! T
OM
: Cut it out!
“Cut it out!” yelled Tommy as Billy hit him again.

Cut me a little slack
.
AND
Cut me some slack
.
Please give me a little leeway.; Allow me some flexibility in meeting the requirements.
Come on, man. I'm sorry, but I didn't see you. Don't be so angry. Cut me a little slack
.
I tried to get my landlord to cut me some slack, but all he could say was: “You must pay the rent!
”