Common American Phrases in Everyday Contexts (86 page)

(I) can't say (as) I do
.
Go to (I) can't say that I do.

(I) can't say for sure
.
I do not know with any certainty.
T
OM
: When will the next train come through? J
ANE
: I can't say for sure
.
B
OB
: How can the driver hit so many potholes? B
ILL
: Can't say for sure. I know he doesn't see too well, though.

(I) can't say that I do
.
AND
(I) can't say's I do.; (I) can't say (as) I do
.
a vague response to a question about whether one remembers, knows about, likes, etc., something or someone. (A polite way of saying no. Colloquial and folksy. The
say as
and
say's
are not standard English.)
J
ANE
: You remember Fred, don't you? J
OHN
: Can't say as I do
.
B
OB
: This is a fine-looking car. Do you like it? B
ILL
: I can't say I do.

(I) can't say that I have
.
AND
(I) can't say's I have.; (I) can't say (as) I have
.
a vague response to a question about whether one has ever done something or been somewhere. (A polite way of saying no. Colloquial and folksy. The
say as
and
say's
are not standard English.)
B
ILL
: Have you ever been to a real opera? B
OB
: I can't say as I have
.
M
ARY
: Well, have you thought about going with me to Fairbanks? F
RED
: I can't say I have, actually.

(I) can't say's I do
.
Go to (I) can't say that I do.

(I) can't thank you enough
.
a polite expression of gratitude.
B
ILL
: Here's the book I promised you. S
UE
: Oh, good. I can't thank you enough
.
T
OM
: Well, here we are. B
ILL
: Well, Tom. I can't thank you enough. I really appreciate the ride.

(I) can't top that
.
Go to (I) can't beat that.

I can't understand (it)
.
Go to I don't understand (it).

(I) can't unring the bell
.
I cannot undo what's been done. (Also in other persons.)
I wish I wasn't pregnant, but you can't unring the bell
.
Q: Isn't there anything we can do about the bank failure? A: Sorry. We can't unring the bell.

(I) changed my mind
.
I have reversed my previous decision or statement.
T
OM
: I thought you were going to Atlanta today. B
ILL
: I changed my mind. I'm leaving tomorrow
.
M
ARY
: I thought that this room was going to be done in red. S
UE
: I changed my mind.