Common American Phrases in Everyday Contexts (67 page)

Hand to God
!
Go to (My) hand to God!

Hang in there
.
Be patient, things will work out.
B
OB
: Everything is in such a mess. I can't seem to get things done right. J
ANE
: Hang in there, Bob. Things will work out
.
M
ARY
: Sometimes I just don't think I can go on. S
UE
: Hang in there, Mary. Things will work out.

Hang on (a minute)
.
AND
Hang on a moment.; Hang on a second
.
Please wait a minute.
M
ARY
: Hang on a minute. T
OM
: What do you want? M
ARY
: I want to ask you something
.
J
ANE
(entering the room): Oh, Bill. B
ILL
(covering the telephone receiver): Hang on a second. I'm on the phone.

Hang on a moment
.
Go to Hang on (a minute).

Hang on a second
.
Go to Hang on (a minute).

Happy to (
do something). Go to (I'd be) happy to (do something).

Hasn't been easy
.
Go to (It) hasn't been easy.

Hate to eat and run
.
Go to (I) hate to eat and run.

Have a ball
!
Enjoy yourself! (Informal.)
B
ILL
: Well, we're off to the party. J
ANE
: Okay. Have a ball!
“Have a ball!” said Mary as her roommate went out the door.

have a chair at the table
Go to have some skin in the game.

have a chip in the game
Go to have some skin in the game.

Have a go at it
.
Give it a try.; Try your hand at it.
A
LICE
: Wow! This is fun! B
OB
: Can I have a go at it?
T
OM
: I am having a good
time painting this fence. It takes a lot of skill. H
ENRY
: It does look challenging. T
OM
: Here, have a go at it. H
ENRY
: Thanks!

Have a good day
.
Go to Have a nice day.

Have a good one
.
Go to Have a nice day.

Have a good time
.
Enjoy yourself in what you are about to do.
B
ILL
: I'm leaving for the party now. F
ATHER
: Have a good time
.
S
UE
: Tonight is the formal dance at the Palmer House, and I'm going. M
ARY
: Have a good time. I'm watching television right here.

Have a good trip
.
AND
Have a nice trip
.
Have a pleasant journey. (Compare to Have a safe trip. This phrase avoids references to safety.)
As Sue stepped onto the plane, someone in a uniform said, “Have a nice trip.
”
“Have a good trip,” said Bill, waving his good-byes.