Common American Phrases in Everyday Contexts (35 page)

Do you have any issues with that?
Do you object to that?; Do you have any problems with that?
Q: I am going to ask you to work late this Friday. Do you have any issues with that? A: My problem is that I am leaving on a plane at 7:00
.
I am going to wear my hair however I want! Do you have any issues with that?

(Do) you hear?
Do you hear and understand what I said? (Typically Southern.)
J
OHN
: I want you to clean up this room this instant! Do you hear? S
UE
: Okay. I'll get right on it
.
B
OB
: Come over here, Sue. I want to show you something, you hear? S
UE
: Sure. What is it?

(Do you) know what?
AND
You know what?
an expression used to open a conversation or switch to a new topic.
B
OB
: You know what? M
ARY
: No, what? B
OB
: I think this milk is spoiled
.
B
OB
:
Know what? B
ILL
: Tell me. B
OB
: Your hair needs cutting. B
ILL
: So what?

(Do you) know what I mean?
Go to (Do you) know what I'm saying?

(Do you) know what I'm saying?
AND
You know (what I'm saying)?; (Do you) know what I mean?; You know what I mean?; You know?
Do you understand me?; Do you agree? (See also you know.)
J
OHN
: This is really great for me and the whole group. You know? S
UE
: Yes, I know
.
S
UE
: This is, like, really great! Do you know what I'm saying? M
ARY
: Yeah, I've been there. It's great
.
It's really, really, really hot today. You know?

(Do) you mean to say
something
?
AND
(Do) you mean to tell me
something
?
Do you really mean what you just said? (A way of giving someone an opportunity to alter a comment. The
something
represents a paraphrase.)
M
ARY
: I'm leaving tomorrow. S
ALLY
: Do you mean to say you're leaving school for good? M
ARY
: Yes
.
B
OB
: Do you mean to tell me that this is all you've accomplished in two weeks? B
ILL
: I guess so. B
OB
: I expected more.

(Do) you mean to tell me
something
?
Go to (Do) you mean to say something?

Do you mind? 1
.
You are intruding on my space!; You are bothering me! (Impatient or incensed. Essentially, “Do you mind stopping what you are doing?” See also If you don't mind.)
The lady in line behind Sue kept pushing against her every time the line moved. Finally, Sue turned and said sternly, “Do you mind?
”
All through the first part of the movie, two people in the row behind John kept up a running conversation. Finally, as the din grew loud enough to cause a number of people to go “shhh,” John rose and turned, leaned over into their faces, and shouted, “Do you mind?
”
2
.
Do you object to what I am poised to do?
Mary had her hand on the lovely silver cake knife that would carry the very last piece of cake to her plate. She looked at Tom, who stood next to her, eyeing the cake. “Do you mind?” she asked coyly
.
“Do you mind?” asked John as he raced by Sally through the door.