Common American Phrases in Everyday Contexts (34 page)

Do tell
.
a response to one of a series of statements by another person. (The expression can indicate disinterest. Each word has equal stress. See also You don't say.)
B
ILL
: The Amazon basin is about ten times the size of France. M
ARY
: Do tell
.
F
RED
: Most large ships produce their own fresh water. S
UE
: Do tell. Say, Fred, has anyone ever told you how interesting you are? F
RED
: No. S
UE
: I suspected as much.

Do we have to go through all that again?
Do we have to discuss that matter again? (Compare to Let's not go through all that again.)
B
ILL
: Now, I still have more to say about what happened last night. S
ALLY
: Do we have to go through all that again?
S
ALLY
: I can't get over the way you treated me at our own dinner table. F
RED
: I was irritated at something else. I said I was sorry. Do we have to go through all that again?

(Do you) care if I join you?
Go to Could I join you?

Do you expect me to believe that?
That is so unbelievable that you do not expect me to believe it, do you? (A bit impatient. Compare to You can't expect me to believe that.)
B
ILL
: I'm going to quit my job and open a restaurant. M
ARY
: That's silly. Do you expect me to believe that? B
ILL
: I guess not
.
M
ARY
: Wow! I just got selected to be an astronaut! S
ALLY
: Do you expect me to believe that? M
ARY
: Here's the letter! Now do you believe me?

Do you follow?
Do you understand what I am saying?; Do you understand my explanation?
M
ARY
: Keep to the right past the fork in the road, then turn right at the crossroads. Do you follow? J
ANE
: No. Run it by me again
.
J
OHN
: Take a large bowl and break two eggs into it and beat them. Do you follow? S
UE
: Sure.

(Do you) get my drift?
AND
(Do you) get the message?
Do you understand what I mean?; Do you understand what I am getting at? (Slang.)
F
ATHER
: I want you to settle down and start studying. Get my drift? B
OB
: Sure, Pop. Whatever you say
.
M
ARY
: Get out of my way and stop following me around. Get the message? J
OHN
: I guess so.

(Do you) get the message?
Go to (Do you) get my drift?

(Do you) get the picture?
Do you understand the situation?; Do you know what this means you have to do?
B
ILL
: I want to get this project wrapped up before midnight. Do you get the picture? T
OM
: I'm afraid I do. B
ILL
: Well, then, get to work
.
F
RED
: I'm really tired of all this. I want you to straighten up and get moving. Get the picture? B
ILL
: I got it.