Common American Phrases in Everyday Contexts (36 page)

(Do you) mind if I
do something
?
a polite way of seeking someone's permission or agreement to do something. (See also (Do you) mind if I join you?)
M
ARY
: Do you mind if I sit here? J
ANE
: No
,
help yourself.
T
OM
: Mind if I smoke? B
ILL
: I certainly do. T
OM
: Then I'll go outside.

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

Do you read me? 1
.
an expression used by someone communicating by radio, asking if the hearer understands the transmission clearly. (See also (I) read you loud and clear.)
C
ONTROLLER
: This is Aurora Center, do you read me? P
ILOT
: Yes, I read you loud and clear.
C
ONTROLLER
: Left two degrees. Do you read me? P
ILOT
: Roger
.
2
.
Do you understand what I am telling you? (Used in general conversation, not in radio communication.)
M
ARY
: I want you to pull yourself together and go out and get a job. Do you read me? B
ILL
: Sure. Anything you say
.
M
OTHER
: Get this place picked up immediately. Do you read me? C
HILD
: Yes, ma'am.

(Do you) want to know something?
AND
(You want to) know something?
an expression used to open a conversation or switch to a new topic.
J
OHN
: Want to know something? S
UE
: What? J
OHN
: Your hem is torn
.
B
ILL
: Hey, Tom! Know something? T
OM
: What is it? B
ILL
: It's really hot today. T
OM
: Don't I know it!

(Do you) want to make something of it?
AND
You want to make something of it?
Do you want to start a fight about it? (Rude and contentious.)
T
OM
: You're really bugging me. It's not fair to pick on me all the time. B
ILL
: You want to make something of it?
B
OB
: Please be quiet. You're making too much noise. F
RED
: Do you want to make something of it? B
OB
: Just be quiet.

(Do) you want to step outside?
an expression inviting someone to go out-of-doors to settle an argument by fighting.
J
OHN
: Drop dead! B
OB
: All right, I've had enough out of you. You want to step outside?
B
ILL
: So, you're mad at me! What else is new? You've been building up to this for a long time. B
OB
: Do you want to step outside and settle this once and for all? B
ILL
: Why not?