Common American Phrases in Everyday Contexts (63 page)

(Good) heavens
!
an exclamation of surprise, shock, or amazement. (See also (My) heavens!)
J
OHN
: Good heavens! A diamond ring! B
ILL
: I bet it's not real
.
J
ANE
: Ouch! J
OHN
: Good heavens! What happened? J
ANE
: I just stubbed my toe.

Good job
!
Go to Nice going!

Good luck! 1
.
a wish of good luck to someone.
M
ARY
: I have my recital tonight. J
ANE
: I know you'll do well. Good luck!
S
ALLY
: I hear you're leaving for your new job tomorrow morning. B
OB
: That's right. S
ALLY
: Well, good luck!
2
.
You will certainly need luck, but it probably will not work. (Sarcastic.)
B
ILL
: I'm going to try to get this tax bill lowered. S
UE
: Good luck!
B
ILL
: I'm sure I can get this cheaper at another store. C
LERK
: Good luck!

(Good) morning
.
the standard greeting phrase used anytime between midnight and noon.
B
OB
: Good morning. B
ILL
: Good morning, Bob. You sure get up early!

Good night. 1
.
(also
Night
.
) the appropriate departure phrase for leave-taking after dark. (This assumes that the speakers will not see one another until morning at the earliest.)
J
OHN
: Bye, Alice. A
LICE
: Night. See you tomorrow
.
B
ILL
: Good night, Mary. M
ARY
: Night, Bill
.
2
.
the appropriate phrase for wishing someone a good night's sleep.
F
ATHER
: Good night, Bill. B
ILL
: Night, Pop
.
F
ATHER
: Good night. M
OTHER
: Good night
.
3
.
(usually
Good Night
!
) a mild exclamation.
J
ANE
: Good night! It's dark! What
time is it? M
ARY
: It's 2:00
A.M
. J
ANE
: In that case, good morning
.
“Good night!” cried Fred. “Look at this mess!
”