Common American Phrases in Everyday Contexts (83 page)

Hush your mouth
!
Please be quiet! (Not very polite.)
I've heard enough of that talk. Hush your mouth!
A: I hate her! I hate her! B: Now, hush your mouth! You shouldn't talk like that!

(I) beg your pardon. 1
.
AND
Beg pardon
.
a phrase said to excuse oneself for interrupting or committing some very minor social offence.
As Sue brushed by the old man, she turned and said, “Beg pardon.
”
J
ANE
: Ouch! That's my toe you stepped on! S
UE
: I beg your pardon. I'm so sorry
.
2
.
a phrase that indicates the speaker's need to pass by another person.
The hallway was filled with people. Bob said, “I beg your pardon,” and then he said it again and again
.
F
RED
: Beg pardon. Need to get by. S
UE
: I'm sorry
.
3
.
an exclamation that shows, as politely as possible, one's indignation at something that someone has said. (In a way, this signals the offender of the magnitude of the offence and invites a revision of the original offending statement.)
B
ILL
: I think you've really made a poor choice this time. M
ARY
: I beg your pardon! B
ILL
: I mean, you normally do better. M
ARY
: Well, I never!
S
UE
: Your spaghetti sauce is too sweet. S
ALLY
: I beg your pardon! S
UE
: Maybe not.

(I) beg your pardon, but
AND
begging your pardon, but
please excuse me, but. (A very polite and formal way of interrupting, bringing something to someone's attention, or asking a question of a stranger.)
R
ACHEL
: Beg your pardon, but I think your right front tire is a little low. H
ENRY
: Well, I guess it is. Thank you
.
J
OHN
: Begging your pardon, ma'am, but weren't we on the same cruise ship in Alaska last July? R
ACHEL
: Couldn't have been me.

I believe so
.
Go to I guess (so).

I believe we've met
.
a phrase indicating that one has already met a person to whom one is being introduced.
J
OHN
: Alice, have you met Fred? A
LICE
: Oh, yes, I believe we've met. How are you, Fred? F
RED
: Hello, Alice. Good to see you again
.
A
LICE
: Tom, this is my cousin, Mary. T
OM
: I believe we've met. Nice to see you again, Mary. M
ARY
: Hello, Tom. Good to see you again.