Common American Phrases in Everyday Contexts (95 page)

I just have this feeling
I have a premonition about this.; I have a strange feeling about this matter.
I really don't know that something is wrong. I just have this feeling
.
I just have this feeling that she is not telling us the truth.

(I) just want(ed) to
(do something). a polite but vague way of explaining what you are going to do.
R
ACHEL
: I just wanted to say that we all loved your letter. Thank you so much. A
NDREW
: Thanks. Glad you liked it
.
R
ACHEL
: I just wanted to tell you how sorry I am about your sister. A
LICE
: Thanks. I appreciate it
.
A
NDREW
: Just wanted to come by for a minute and say hello. T
OM
: Well, hello. Glad you dropped by.

I kid you not
.
I am not kidding you.; I am not trying to fool you.
B
ILL
: Whose car is this? S
ALLY
: It's mine. It really is. I kid you not
.
“I kid you not,” said Tom, glowing. “I outran the whole lot of them.
”

I know (just) what you mean
.
I know exactly what you are talking about, and I feel the same way about it.
J
OHN
: These final exams are just terrible. B
OB
: I know just what you mean. J
OHN
: Why do we have to go through this?
M
ARY
: What a pain! I hate annual inventories. J
OHN
: I know what you mean. It's really boring.

(I) love it
!
It is just wonderful!
M
ARY
: What do you think of this car? B
ILL
: Love it! It's really cool!
B
OB
: What a joke, Tom! J
ANE
: Yes, love it! T
OM
: Gee, thanks.

I must be off
.
an expression announcing the speaker's intention of leaving.
B
ILL
: It's late. I must be off. B
OB
: Me, too. I'm out of here
.
S
UE
: I must be off. J
OHN
: The game's not over yet. S
UE
: I've seen enough.