Common American Phrases in Everyday Contexts (43 page)

Don't stay away so long
.
Please visit more often. (Said upon the arrival or departure of a guest.)
J
OHN
: Hi, Bill! Long time no see. Don't stay away so long! B
ILL
: Thanks, John. Good to see you
.
ARY
: I had a nice time. Thanks for inviting me. S
ALLY
: Good to see you, Mary. Next time, don't stay away so long.

Don't sweat it
!
Don't worry about it. (Slang.)
B
ILL
: I think I'm flunking algebra! B
OB
: Don't sweat it! Everybody's having a rough time
.
M
ARY
: Good grief! I just stepped on the cat's tail, but I guess you heard. S
UE
: Don't sweat it! The cat's got to learn to keep out of the way.

Don't sweat the small stuff
.
Don't worry about the little problems that have minor consequences.
I
DA
: I just can't seem to get comfortable in my office chair. I'm too far from the network printer, and my own printer is too slow. H
ANNA
: Don't sweat the small stuff. You're also a week late on your time-and-effort report
.
Relax, Tom. Don't sweat the small stuff. Save your energy for the really serious problems.

Don't tell a soul
.
Please do not tell anyone this gossip.
B
ILL
: Is your brother getting married? S
ALLY
: Yes, but don't tell a soul. It's a secret
.
M
ARY
: Can you keep a secret? J
OHN
: Sure. M
ARY
: Don't tell a soul, but Tom is in jail.

Don't tell me what to do
!
Do not give me orders.
B
OB
: Get over there and pick up those papers before they blow away. S
ALLY
: Don't tell me what to do! B
OB
: Better hurry. One of those papers is your paycheck. But it's no skin off my nose if you don't
.
S
UE
: Next, you should get a haircut, then get some new clothes. You really need to fix yourself up. S
ALLY
: Don't tell me what to do! Maybe I like me the way I am!

Don't think so
.
Go to I guess not.

Don't waste my time
.
Do not take up my valuable time with a poor presentation.; Do not waste my time trying to get me to do something.
B
OB
: I'd like to show you our new line of industrial-strength vacuum cleaners. B
ILL
: Beat it! Don't waste my time
.
“Don't waste my time!” said the manager when Jane made her fourth appeal for a raise.