Common American Phrases in Everyday Contexts (62 page)

Good call
!
AND
Nice call
!
That's a good exercise of judgment.; That's good spotting of a potential problem! (See also Good catch!)
Jane noticed a clause in the contract that would cost us a lot of money if bad weather interrupted shipping. John smiled and said, “Good call, Jane! That might get you a promotion!
”
Good call! No one else saw that car coming.

Good catch
!
AND
Nice catch!; Nice save
!
It's good that you saw the problem in advance and did something about it! (As if someone had caught a ball just in time. See also Good call!)
A
NDREW
: Nice catch, Bob! You saved the company a lot of money. H
ANNA
: I didn't see that clause in the contract. Nice catch, Bob.

Good enough
.
That's good.; That's adequate.
B
ILL
: Well, now. How's that? B
OB
: Good enough
.
B
OB
: I'll be there about noon. B
OB
: Good enough. I'll see you then.

(Good) evening. 1
.
the appropriate polite greeting for use between supper time and the time of taking leave for the night or by midnight. (Compare to Good night.)
B
OB
: Good evening, Mary. How are you? M
ARY
: Evening, Bob. Nice to see you
.
“Good evening
,”
said each of the guests as they passed by Mr. and Mrs. Franklin
.
2
.
the appropriate polite phrase used for leave-taking between supper time and before the time of final leave-taking to go to bed.
M
ARY
: Let's call it a day. See you tomorrow, Bill. B
ILL
: Yes, it's been a long and productive day. Good evening, Mary
.
B
OB
: Nice seeing you, Mr. Wilson. M
R. WILSON
: Good evening, Bob.

Good for you
!
a complimentary expression of encouragement for something that someone has done.
S
UE
: I just got a raise. B
ILL
: Good for you!
J
ANE
: I really told him what I thought of his rotten behavior. S
UE
: Good for you! He needs it.

Good grief
!
an exclamation of surprise, disgust, shock, or amazement.
A
LICE
: Good grief! I'm late! M
ARY
: That clock's fast. You're probably okay on time
.
B
ILL
: There are seven newborn kittens under the sofa! J
ANE
: Good grief!