Common American Phrases in Everyday Contexts (96 page)

(I) must be running along
.
It's time for me to go.
Oh, it's after midnight. Must be running along
.
Must be running along. Got a cake in the oven.

I must say good night
.
an expression announcing the speaker's intention of leaving for the night.
J
ANE
: It's late. I must say good night. B
OB
: Can I see you again? J
ANE
: Call me. Good night, Bob
.
OB
: Good night, Jane
.
S
UE
: I must say good night. M
ARY
: Good night, then. See you tomorrow.

I need it yesterday
.
an answer to the question “When do you need this?” (Indicates that the need is urgent.)
B
OB
: When do you need that urgent survey? B
ILL
: I need it yesterday
.
M
ARY
: Where's the Wilson contract? S
UE
: Do you need it now? M
ARY
: I need it yesterday! Where is it?

I never
!
Go to (Well,) I never!

(I) never heard of such a thing
!
an expression of amazement and disbelief. (Compare to (Well,) I never!)
B
ILL
: The company sent out a representative to our very house to examine the new sofa and see what the problem was with the wobbly leg. J
ANE
: I've never heard of such a thing! That's very unusual
.
B
ILL
: The tax office is now open on Sunday! S
UE
: Never heard of such a thing!

(I) never thought I'd see you here
!
I am surprised to see you here.
T
OM
: Hi, Sue! I never thought I'd see you here! S
UE
: Hi, Tom. I was thinking the same thing about you
.
B
ILL
: Well, Tom Thomas. I never thought I'd see you here! T
OM
: Likewise. I didn't know you liked opera.

(I) never would have guessed. 1
.
I never would have thought something to be so. (Not used in other tenses.)
He was the one who did it? I never would have guessed
.
He wanted the job. Never would have guessed. He kept it a very good secret
.
2
.
I knew it all the time, because it was so obvious. (Sarcastic. Not used in other tenses.)
I never would have guessed that he wanted the job. He only begged and begged for it
.
Now she wants to go back home? I never would have guessed! She has been homesick for days.