Common American Phrases in Everyday Contexts (45 page)

Don't you know? 1
.
Don't you know the answer?; I don't know—I thought you did.
M
ARY
: How do I get to the Morris Building? Where do I turn? J
ANE
: Don't you know? I have no idea!
S
UE
: We're supposed to either sign these contracts or rewrite them. Which is it? J
OHN
: Don't you know?
2
.
AND
(Don't you) see?
Do you understand?; Do you see? (Usually pronounced
doan-cha know
, often without rising question intonation. Typically, nothing more than a call for some quick response from the person being talked to.)
J
OHN
: This whole thing can be straightened out with hardly any trouble at all, don't you know? S
UE
: What makes you so sure? J
OHN
: I've had this same problem before
.
B
ILL
: Why are you stopping the car? J
OHN
: We usually stop here for the night, don't you know? B
ILL
: I know a better place down the road.

Don't you know it
!
You can be absolutely sure about that!; You're exactly right, and I agree with you. (This is not a question.)
A
LICE
: Man, is it hot! F
RED
: Don't you know it!
B
OB
: This is the best cake I have ever eaten. The cook is the best in the world! B
ILL
: Don't you know it!

(Don't you) see?
Go to Don't you know?

(Don't) you wish
!
Don't you wish that what you have just said were really true?
M
ARY
: I'm going to get a job that lets me travel a lot. S
ALLY
: Don't you wish!
S
ALLY
: Sorry you lost the chess game. It was close, but your opponent was top-notch. B
OB
: Next time, I'll do it! I'll win the next round. S
ALLY
: Don't you wish!

down the drain
lost forever; wasted.
I just hate to see all that money go down the drain
.
Well, there goes the whole project, right down the drain.

Down the hatch
!
Go to Bottoms up.

down to the wire
at the very last minute; up to the very last instant.
I have to turn this in tomorrow, and I'll be working down to the wire
.
When we get down to the wire, we'll know better what to do.