Common American Phrases in Everyday Contexts (38 page)

Don't be too sure
.
I think you are wrong, so do not sound so certain.; You may be wrong, you know. (Compare to Don't speak too soon.)
B
ILL
: Ah, it's sure great being home and safe—secure in one's castle. M
ARY
: Don't be too sure. I just heard glass breaking downstairs
.
B
ILL
: I think I've finally saved up enough money to retire. J
OHN
: Don't be too sure. Inflation can ruin your savings.

Don't believe I've had the pleasure
.
Go to (I) don't believe I've had the pleasure.

Don't believe so
.
Go to (I) don't believe so.

Don't bet on it
!
Don't assume anything!; It isn't happening! (See also (I) wouldn't bet on it.)
H
ANNA
: I expect that you will be
going to the mountains again this year. I
DA
: Don't bet on it. This has been a bad year financially
.
A: I expect to see you at the office bright and early tomorrow morning. B: Don't bet on it! Tomorrow is Sunday.

Don't bother
.
Please don't do it. It is not necessary, and it is too much trouble.
M
ARY
: Should I put these in the box with the others? B
ILL
: No, don't bother
.
S
UE
: Do you want me to save this spoonful of mashed potatoes? J
ANE
: No, don't bother. It isn't worth it. S
UE
: I hate to waste it.

Don't bother me
!
Go away!; Leave me alone!
T
OM
: Hey, Bill! B
ILL
: Don't bother me! I'm busy. Can't you see?
“Don't bother me! Leave me alone!” the child shouted at the dog.

Don't bother me none
.
Go to (It) makes no difference to me.

Don't breathe a word of this to anyone
.
This is a secret or secret gossip. Do not tell it to anyone.
M
ARY
: Can you keep a secret? J
OHN
: Sure. M
ARY
: Don't breathe a word of this to anyone, but Tom is in jail
.
B
ILL
: Have you heard about Mary and her friends? S
ALLY
: No. Tell me! Tell me! B
ILL
: Well, they all went secretly to Mexico for the weekend. Everyone thinks they are at Mary's, except Mary's mother, who thinks they are at Sue's. Now, don't breathe a word of this to anyone. S
ALLY
: Of course not! You know me!

Don't call us, we'll call you
.
We will let you know if we wish to talk to you further.; We will let you know if you got the job, so don't bother calling and asking. (Often a dismissal.)
S
ALLY
: Thank you for coming by for the interview. We'll let you know. B
ILL
: How soon do you think Mr. Franklin will decide? S
ALLY
: Don't call us, we'll call you
.
“Don't call us, we'll call you,” said the assistant director, as if he had said it a hundred times already today, which he probably had.