Common American Phrases in Everyday Contexts (42 page)

Don't quit trying
.
Go to Keep (on) trying.

Don't quit your day job
.
You are not very good at what you are doing, and clearly you only do this on a part-time or temporary basis, so don't quit your regular job in hopes that you can support yourself doing this task that you do not do very well.
I saw your
comedy act at the nightclub. Don't quit your day job!
So, you laid the bricks in this wall. Well, don't quit your day job.

Don't rush me
!
Don't try to hurry me!
B
ILL
: Hurry up! Make up your mind! B
OB
: Don't rush me! B
ILL
: I want to get out of here before midnight
.
B
ILL
: The waiter wants to take your order. What do you want? J
ANE
: Don't rush me! I can't make up my mind. W
AITER
: I'll come back in a minute.

Don't say it
!
I don't want to hear it!; I know, so you don't have to say it.
J
OHN
(joking): What is that huge pile of stuff on your head? B
ILL
: Don't say it! I know I need a haircut
.
F
RED
: And then I'll trade that car in on a bigger one, and then I'll buy a bigger house. B
OB
: Fred! F
RED
: Oh, don't say it! B
OB
: You're a dreamer, Fred. F
RED
: I had hoped you wouldn't say that.

Don't see you much around here anymore
.
Go to (We) don't see you much around here anymore.

Don't speak too soon
.
I think you may be wrong. Don't speak before you know the facts. (Compare to Don't be too sure.)
B
ILL
: It looks like it'll be a nice day. M
ARY
: Don't speak too soon. I just felt a raindrop
.
T
OM
: It looks like we made it home without any problems. B
ILL
: Don't speak too soon, there's a cop behind us in the driveway.

Don't spend it all in one place
.
a catchphrase said after giving someone some money, especially a small amount.
F
RED
: Dad, can I have a dollar? F
ATHER
: Sure. Here. Don't spend it all in one place
.
“Here's a quarter, kid,” said Tom, flipping Fred a quarter. “Don't spend it all in one place.
”
A
LICE
: Here's the five hundred dollars I owe you. T
OM
: Oh, thanks. I need this. A
LICE
: Don't spend it all in one place. T
OM
: I have to or they'll take my car back.

Don't stand on ceremony
.
Do not wait for a formal invitation.; Please be at ease and make yourself at home.
J
OHN
: Come in, Tom. Don't stand on ceremony. Get yourself a drink and something to eat and mingle with the other guests. T
OM
: Okay, but I can only stay for a few minutes
.
“Don't stand on ceremony, Fred,” urged Sally. “Go around and introduce yourself to everyone.
”