Common American Phrases in Everyday Contexts (41 page)

Don't let
someone or something
get you down
.
Don't let some person or situation bother you.
T
OM
: I'm so mad at her, I could scream! S
UE
: Don't let her get you down
.
J
OHN
: This project at work is getting to be a real mess. J
ANE
: Don't let it get you down. It will be over with soon.

Don't let the bastards wear you down
.
Don't let those people get the best of you. (Exercise caution with
bastard
.)
B
ILL
: The place I work at is really rough. Everybody is rude and jealous of each other. T
OM
: Don't let the bastards wear you down
.
J
ANE
: I have to go down to the county clerk's office and figure out what this silly bureaucratic
letter means. S
UE
: You might call them on the phone. In any case, don't let the bastards wear you down.

Don't make me laugh
!
Do not make such ridiculous statements—they only make me laugh. (Compare to You make me laugh!)
M
ARY
: I'll be a millionaire by the time I'm thirty. T
OM
: Don't make me laugh! M
ARY
: I will! I will!
M
ARY
: I'm trying out for cheerleader. S
UE
: You, a cheerleader? Don't make me laugh!

Don't make me no nevermind
.
Go to (It) makes no difference to me.

Don't make me say it again
!
AND
Don't make me tell you again
!
I have told you once, and now I'm mad, and I'll be madder if I have to tell you again. (Typically said to a child who will not mind.)
M
OTHER
: I told you thirty minutes ago to clean up this room! Don't make me tell you again! C
HILD
: Okay. I'll do it
.
B
ILL
: No, Sue, I will not buy you a beach house. Don't make me say it again! S
UE
: Are you sure?

Don't make me tell you again
!
Go to Don't make me say it again!

Don't make yourself a stranger
!
Go to Don't be a stranger!

Don't mind if I do
.
Go to (I) don't mind if I do.

Don't mind me
.
Don't pay any attention to me.; Just ignore me. (Sometimes sarcastic.)
Bill and Jane were watching television when Jane's mother walked through the room, grabbing the newspaper on the way. “Don't mind me,” she said
.
Bob was sitting at the table when Mary and Bill started up a quiet and personal conversation. Bob stared off into space and said, “Don't mind me.” Bill and Mary didn't even notice.

Don't push (me)
!
Don't put pressure on me to do something! (Also a literal meaning.)
S
UE
: You really must go to the dentist, you know. J
OHN
: Don't push me. I'll go when I'm good and ready
.
B
OB
: Come on! You can finish. Keep trying. B
ILL
: Don't push me! I have to do it under my own steam!