Pardon me. (formal)
Excuse me.
Hey! (informal)
Hey, you! (informal)
Yo! (slang)
Look here. (informal)
Listen here. (informal)
Listen up. (informal)
Get a load of this. (informal)
Now hear this! (informal)
Hear me out.
Are you ready for this? (informal)
Listen. (informal)
Are you listening to me?
Are you paying attention?
I’m talking to you.
Do you hear me?
Do I have your ear? (idiomatic)
Can I bend your ear a minute? (idiomatic)
Am I making myself heard?
Look at this.
Take a look at this.
Take a gander at that. (informal)
a gander = a look
Feast your eyes on this.
Look what we have here.
Lookie here. (informal)
Lookit. (slang)
Look here.
Can you eyeball this (for a minute)? (slang)
to eyeball = to look at
Can you believe your eyes?
I don’t believe my eyes.
Do my eyes deceive me?
That’s a sight for sore eyes.
I hear you.
I heard you.
I’m listening.
I’m still here.
I’m all ears.
Guess what?
Have you heard the latest?
Have you heard?
Did you hear what happened?
Did you hear the news?
Did you get the scoop? (informal)
the scoop = the most recent news
You’ll never guess what I heard.
You won’t believe this.
You won’t believe what Bill just told me.
Get a load of this. (informal)
a load = a sampling
Get this. (informal)
Dig this. (slang)
to dig = to understand
You got a minute?
Got a minute?
I need to talk.
Can we talk?
Can I talk to you?
May I have a word with you? (formal)
Let’s talk.
Let’s chew the fat. (slang)
Let’s shoot the breeze. (slang)
May I be frank?
Let me be perfectly clear.
Make no bones about it. (idiomatic)
= Do not make any bones of contention about this
Read my lips. (informal)
= Pay close attention to what I am saying.
(To make a) long story short. (cliché)
Let’s call a spade a spade. (cliché)
Let me spell it out for you.
Here’s the bottom line.
the bottom line = the summation; the final and major point
What’s your point?
What’s the point?
What’s the upshot?
the upshot = the result
What’s the bottom line?
the bottom line = the summation; the final and major point
What are you trying to say?
What are you trying to tell me?
Get to the point.
Get to the heart of the matter.
Cut to the chase. (idiomatic)
= Switch to the focal point of something.
If I may.
= If I may interrupt.; If I may add some information.
Pardon my French.
= Pardon my use of vulgar words.
No pun intended.
= I intended to make no joke or play on words.
If you know what I mean.
= I assume you understand what I mean.
Know what I mean? (informal)
= Do you understand what I am saying?
You know what I’m saying?
= Do you understand what I am saying?
You know?
= Do you understand what I am saying?
Right?
= Is that not so?
OK?
= Is that not so?
Enough already. (informal)
Out with it! (informal)
= Say it!; Speak out!
Don’t mince words.
to mince = to cut up or disguise
Spare (me) nothing.
Lay it on the line. (informal)
Tell it to me like a man. (informal)
Give it to me straight. (informal)
straight = unadorned
Give it to me in plain English.
plain English = simple and direct terms
Don’t beat around the bush. (idiomatic)
Stop beating around the bush. (idiomatic)
Stop circumventing the issue.
Put your cards on the table. (idiomatic)
Stop speaking in circles.
What does that mean in English? (informal)
Cut the crap. (mildly vulgar)
crap = dung = needless talk
That’s beside the point.
That’s beside the question.
That’s not at issue.
That’s not the issue.
That’s irrelevant.
That has nothing to do with it.
That has nothing to do with what I’m talking about.
That’s another story.
That’s a whole ’nother story. (folksy)
That’s a different ball of wax. (idiomatic)
ball of wax = thing; matter
That’s a different kettle of fish. (idiomatic)
kettle of fish = thing; matter
That’s another can of worms. (idiomatic)
can of worms = set of problems
That’s a horse of a different color. (idiomatic)
a horse of a different color = a different kind of problem altogether
You’re off on a tangent.
You’re getting off the subject.
As you were saying …
Getting back to the point …
But I digress. (formal)
Let me repeat myself.
Allow me to repeat myself. (formal)
As I’ve said …
As I am fond of saying …
To reiterate …
To repeat …
How many times do I have to tell you?
If I’ve told you once, I’ve told you a thousand times. (cliché)
If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a million times. (cliché)
So you said.
Stop beating a dead horse.
beating a dead horse = continuing to argue a point that has been won
Stop harping on that subject.
harping on = dwelling on; talking about
You sound like a broken record. (idiomatic)
broken record = a grooved LP album with a scratch that makes the same track repeat endlessly
All right, already.
We get the point, already.
We heard you, already.
So it seems.
So it would seem.
Or so it would appear.
As it were.
So to speak.
In a manner of speaking.
I heard it through the grapevine.
the grapevine = a chain of rumors
I heard it on the grapevine.
A little bird told me. (cliché)
I have my sources.
I got it straight from the horse’s mouth. (idiomatic)
from the horse’s mouth = from the source
It’s common knowledge.
We live in a fishbowl. (informal)
= We are completely on display.; We are openly visible to everyone.
Word travels fast. (cliché)
News travels fast. (cliché)
Bad news travels fast. (cliché)
None of your business. (informal)
Just never (you) mind.
We have our ways (of finding these things out). (jocular)
I plead the fifth. (informal)
the fifth = the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which protects against self-incrimination
I’m not one to kiss and tell. (cliché)
to kiss and tell = to do something secret and tell everyone about it
We’re very close.
We’re the closest of friends.
We’re the best of friends.
We’re best friends.
We’re pretty tight.
Their bosom buddies.
She’s my best friend.
She’s my closest friend.
She’s a dear friend.
She’s like a sister to me.
He’s like the brother I never had.
We’re like brothers.
He’s one of a kind.
Sue’s one of a kind.
What a character!
They don’t make them like him anymore. (cliché)
After they made him, they broke the mold. (cliché)
We’re two of a kind.
They’re two of a kind.
We’re cut from the same cloth.
We’re made from the same mold.
We’re birds of a feather. (cliché)
We’re like two peas in a pod.
May I join you?
Is this stool taken?
Is this seat taken?
Do you care if I join you?
Care if I join you?
Do you mind if I join you?
Mind if I join you?
Care to join us?
Can I buy you a drink?
Could I buy you a drink?
Could I get you something to drink?
What are you drinking?
Do you know who does this song?
does = sings
Would you like to play darts?
Let’s play pool.
pool = billiards
Care to dance?
Would you like to dance?
You want to dance? (informal)
Could I have the next dance?
May I have the next dance? (formal)
That’s a pretty outfit. (male to female)
That’s a pretty dress. (male to female)
What’s your sign?
sign = sign of the zodiac
What’s shaking? (slang)
shaking = happening
Don’t I know you from somewhere?
Didn’t we go to high school together?
Haven’t I seen you here before?
Do you come here often?
What’s a nice girl like you doing in a place like this?
(male to female, cliché)
Do you have a smoke?
a smoke = a cigarette
Do you have a light?
a light = a match or cigarette lighter
Do you have a cigarette?
Do you have change for the cigarette machine?
Are you going my way?
Going my way? (cliché)
Could I give you a lift?
a lift = a ride
Need a lift?
Where have you been keeping yourself?
Where have you been all my life? (cliché)
Let’s call it a day.
Let’s call it a night.
Let’s call it quits.
= Let’s quit (and leave).
Let’s get out of here.
Let’s get going.
Let’s go.
We should be on our way.
Let’s bid our farewell. (formal)
Let’s say our good-byes. (formal)
I’ll stand by you.
I’m standing behind you.
I am 100% behind you.
I’m with you.
I’m on your side.
You’ve got my support.
You’ve got my backing.
You’ve got my vote.
You can count on me.
You can lean on me.
You can trust me.
You can put your trust in me.
You can put your faith in me.
If there’s anything I can do to help, please let me know.
Let me know if there’s anything I can do.
I’m here if you need me.
I’m here for you.
If you need me, call.
I’ll always be there for you.
I’ll go to bat for you.
to go to bat for you = to support you
I’ll take the rap. (slang)
the rap = the blame
I have faith in you.
I have the utmost faith in you.
I have complete faith in you.
I trust you implicitly.
I have faith in you.
I have confidence in you.
Go on; you can do it!
Just one more.
Just a little harder.
Stick with it.
Stay at it.
Go for it.
Give it a try.
Give it a shot.
a shot = a try
Give it your best shot.
Give it your best.
Give it the old college try. (cliché)
the old college try = a noble effort
Keep at it.
Keep your nose to the grindstone. (idiomatic)
= Keep bent over your work. = Keep working hard.
Hang in there. (informal)
Hang tough. (slang)
Stick it out. (informal)
Have a go at it.
a go = a try
Take a shot at it. (informal)
a shot = a try
Take a stab at it. (informal)
a stab = a try
Take a crack at it. (informal)
a crack = a try
Have a crack at it.
Take a whack at it. (informal)
a whack = a try
Come on. (informal)
It won’t hurt you to try it.
Everybody’s doing it.
Everyone else is doing it.
It’s all the rage.
the rage = the current fad
Try your luck.
See what you can do.
Nothing ventured, nothing gained. (cliché)
Go on.
Get going.
Get going already.
Get moving.
No pain, no gain. (cliché)
Get a move on. (informal)
Get cracking. (slang)
Get on the stick. (slang)
Get the lead out. (slang)
Get off your ass. (mildly vulgar)
Let’s see some action. (informal)
It’s now or never.
Take no prisoners! (informal)
Fish or cut bait! (idiomatic)
Knock yourself out. (idiomatic)
= Try really hard.; Work as hard as you can.
= Risk everything.
I expect to see some results soon.
Are you just going to stand there all day?
Are you just going to sit there?
Aren’t you going to do anything?
Are you just going to sit there like a bump on a log? (informal)
a bump on a log = a motionless object
You’re letting the world pass you by.
That won’t do.
That won’t do it.
That doesn’t cut it. (idiomatic)
to cut it = to do what is needed
That doesn’t cut the mustard. (idiomatic)
to cut the mustard = to measure up to expectations
That doesn’t make the grade.
to make the grade = to qualify
Is that it?
It’s not up to snuff.
Is that all?
You call that finished?
Once more with feeling. (cliché)
Wait.
Wait a moment.
Wait a minute.
Wait a sec(ond).
Wait one moment.
Wait one minute.
Wait one sec(ond).
Wait your turn.
Just a moment.
Just a minute.
Just a sec(ond).
Just one moment.
Just one minute.
Just one sec(ond).
Hold your horses. (idiomatic)
= Wait a bit.
Hold your pants on. (informal)
= Wait a bit.
Keep your pants on. (informal)
Keep your shirt on. (informal)
= Wait a bit.
Take things as they come.
Take it as it comes.
Take it one day at a time.
Take things one day at a time.
Take one day at a time.
Time will tell. (cliché)
= We will know more in time.
Rome wasn’t built in a day. (cliché)
= Big projects require a lot of time.
A watched pot never boils. (cliché)
= Paying constant attention to something you are waiting for will make the wait seem endless.
Good things come to him who waits. (cliché)
One step at at time.
One day at a time.
Good things come to those who wait. (cliché)
Patience is a virtue. (cliché)
In good time.
All in good time.
Everything in its time.
There’s a time for everything.
It will work out in the end.
Everything will come together.
Everything will fall together.
Everything will fall into place.
In the long run, everything will be OK. (informal)
In the long haul, it will all work out.
Everything will work itself out.
I am confident it will all work out.
It ain’t over till it’s over. (informal)
It ain’t over till the fat lady sings. (cliché)
= The opera is not over until the overweight opera singer has done her solo. = The event will not conclude until everything that was planned to happen has happened.
Don’t jump the gun.
to jump the gun = to start a race before the starting gun is fired = to do something too early
Don’t go off half-cocked.
half-cocked = ill-prepared
Don’t go chomping at the bit.
chomp = to bite (as with an eager horse)
Don’t put the cart before the horse.
Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.
= Don’t base your plans on something that hasn’t developed yet.
Don’t cross that bridge till you come to it.
= We will deal with that when the time comes.
We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.
Don’t get ahead of yourself.
You can’t please everybody. (cliché)
You can’t be all things to all people. (cliché)
You’ve got your fingers in too many pies. (idiomatic)
You’ve got your irons in too many fires. (idiomatic)
You’re burning the candle at both ends. (cliché)
You’re taking too many things on.
You’re taking on too much.
You’re doing too much.
You’re trying to do too much.
You’re overcommitted.
You’re overdoing it.
You’re carrying the world on your shoulders.
You need to set your priorities.
Take care of it.
Take good care of it.
I’m trusting you to take good care of it.
Keep an eye on it.
Guard it with your life.
Don’t let it out of your sight.
I want this back.
I want it back in one piece.
in one piece = unbroken; unharmed
Bring it back in one piece.
Just between you and me …
Just between you, me, and the lamppost …
This is between you, me, and the bedpost.
This is between you, me, and the four walls.
I’m telling you this in confidence.
I’m telling you this in strict confidence.
I’m telling you this in strictest confidence.
Can you keep a secret?
Don’t repeat this, but …
Don’t let this get around, but …
Could you keep a secret?
Confidentially …
Better keep quiet about it.
Better keep still about it.
Keep it to yourself.
Don’t breathe a word of this to anyone.
Don’t breathe a word of it.
Don’t let it out of this room.
it = the secret
Don’t let this go any further.
Don’t tell a soul.
a soul = a person
Mum’s the word.
mum = a word referring to a closed mouth
It’s on the QT. (slang)
QT = quiet
Play dumb.
This is top secret.
This is for your eyes only.
This is for your ears only.
Don’t say I told you.
Don’t say who told you.
This is off the record.
off the record = not to be reported or quoted
This is not to be quoted.
This is not for public knowledge.
This is not public knowledge.
This is not for publication.
I won’t tell a soul.
a soul = a person
My lips are sealed. (cliché)
It won’t leave this room.
Wild horses couldn’t drag it out of me. (cliché)
I’ll take it to my grave.
= I’ll die without telling the secret to anyone.
Where was I?
= What was I saying?
What was I saying?
What were we talking about?
I don’t remember.
I have a mind like a sieve.
a sieve = a strainer or colander
I’m a little absentminded.
absentminded = forgetful
I’d lose my head if it weren’t attached. (informal)
I’ve lost my train of thought.
train of thought = sequence of thoughts
It’s at the tip of my tongue.
= It is about ready to be said.
It’s on the tip of my tongue.
It’s slipped my mind.
The thought escapes me.
It’s left my head.
What did you just say?
It went in one ear and out the other. (cliché)
Are we supposed to be someplace right now?
I’m in trouble.
I’m in big trouble.
I’m in deep trouble.
I’m in deep.
I’m in over my head.
I’m in way over my head.
I’m behind the eight ball. (idiomatic)
= I’m in trouble with someone.
My ass is in a sling. (mildly vulgar)
in a sling = injured
My ass is on the line. (mildly vulgar)
on the line = at risk
My neck is on the line.
My job is on the line.
My reputation is on the line.
My reputation is at stake.
at stake = at risk
Your goose is cooked. (idiomatic)
= You are in trouble.
You’ve really screwed up. (informal)
You’ve done it now.
Now you’ve done it.
You’ve really done it this time.
You’re in for it.
You’re gonna get it. (informal)
How could you do something so stupid?
What kind of mess did you get yourself into?
That’s another fine mess you’ve gotten us into. (informal)
How are you going to dig yourself out of this one?
How are you going to get out of this one?
You’ve made your bed; now lie in it.
= You have created this situation, so you must endure it.
You’re up the creek without a paddle. (informal)
You’re up a creek. (informal)
You’re up the creek. (informal)
I’m broke.
broke = without any money
I’m dead broke.
I’m flat broke.
I’m flatter than a pancake. (informal)
flatter than a pancake = as flat broke as is possible
I don’t have a dollar to my name.
to my name — in my ownership
I don’t have a penny to my name.
I don’t have a cent to my name.
I don’t have a red cent. (informal)
red cent = a copper penny
I’m busted. (slang)
busted = without any money
I’m as poor as a church mouse. (idiomatic)
My pockets are empty.
I have empty pockets.
All I have is the shirt on my back.
the shirt on my back = the clothes that you see me in
I’ve got nothing but the shirt on my back.
All I have is my good name.
my good name = my reputation
I don’t know where my next meal is coming from.
My savings are wiped out.
I’ve lost everything.
I’m bankrupt.
I’m in the red.
red = red ink = indebtedness
She’s in over her head (in debt). (idiomatic)
I’m up to my ears in debt. (idiomatic)
Bill’s writing rubber checks.
a rubber check = a bad check (that bounces back from the bank because there is no money to pay it)
I’m borrowing from Peter to pay Paul. (idiomatic)
I’m robbing Peter to pay Paul. (idiomatic)
I’m going nuts. (slang)
nuts = crazy
I’m going crazy.
I’m losing my mind.
I’m losing my marbles. (informal)
losing my marbles = losing my intellect
I’m freaking out. (slang)
I’m spazzing out. (slang)
I’m mad at the world.
I need a break.
I need some sleep.
I’m going to explode.
My head is going to explode.
Everything is getting on my nerves.
I can’t take it anymore.
I can’t take another problem.
I can’t deal with this anymore.
I’m on pins and needles. (idiomatic)
on pins and needles = in anxious anticipation
I’m on tenterhooks.
tenterhooks = a type of sharp nail used for fastening fabric
I’m a bundle of nerves.
I’ve got butterflies in my stomach. (idiomatic)
= My stomach is feeling like it is fluttering.
I’m coming apart at the seams.
I’m falling apart at the seams.
I’m burning the candle at both ends. (cliché)
I scarcely have time to breathe.
I have no time to call my own.
Calm down.
Simmer down.
Control yourself. (informal)
Don’t go into hysterics.
Don’t be such a worrywart.
a worrywart = a person who worries a lot
Don’t worry yourself sick.
Don’t lose sleep over it.
Don’t let it get to you.
Don’t trouble yourself.
You’ll send yourself to an early grave.
an early grave = an early death
Don’t get all bent out of shape!
Don’t get your nose out of joint!
Learn to roll with the punches.
I didn’t mean any harm.
Pull yourself together.
Don’t get excited.
Don’t get all excited.
Don’t get all worked up.
Don’t blow your stack. (slang)
to blow your stack = to lose your temper; to go crazy
Don’t lose your cool. (slang)
Don’t blow your cool. (slang)
Don’t blow a gasket. (slang)
Don’t go into hysterics.
Don’t go into hysterics on me.
Don’t fly off the handle.
Don’t pop your cork. (slang)
to pop your cork = to go crazy
Don’t work yourself into a tizzy. (informal)
a tizzy = a dizzy, confused state
Don’t run around like a chicken with its head cut off. (informal)
Restrain yourself.
Would you restrain yourself?
Get a grip (on yourself). (informal)
Would you get a grip? (informal)
Mellow out. (slang)
= Adopt a calm attitude.
Chill out. (slang)
Chill. (slang)
Keep cool. (slang)
Cool your jets. (slang)
Cool off. (informal)
Cool down. (informal)
Slow down.
Simmer down.
Calm down.
Be calm.
Calm yourself.
Relax.
Deal with it. (informal)
Hold your horses. (cliché)
Keep your shirt on. (informal)
Keep your pants on. (informal)
Take a deep breath.
Take it easy.
Take it slow.
Take a tranquilizer! (informal)
Take a pill! (informal)
Don’t have a cow!
Don’t have a conniption fit.
Don’t throw a fit.
Don’t have a fit.
Give it a break.
Give it a rest.
You got ants in your pants?
You’re as cold as ice.
You’re a cold fish.
You’ve got a heart of stone.
You’ve got no heart.
You’re heartless.
You’re thick-skinned.
Have you no qualms?
Have you no scruples?
Have you no conscience?
Have you no thought for anyone but yourself?
Think before you speak.
Think before you act.
Try putting yourself in my shoes.
= Think what it is like to be in my situation.
This is a nonsmoking area.
This is a nonsmoking building.
You’ll have to step outside.
Please observe the no smoking signs. (formal)
Can you put that out?
Please put that out.
I’m sorry, you’ll have to put that out.
I’m sorry, the smoke is bothering me.
Have you ever thought of quitting?
It’s your funeral. (informal)
You smoke like a chimney. (informal)
Mind your own business.
Go to a nonsmoking area.
I can’t quit.
I tried quitting.
I have no intention of quitting.
Sorry.
Got a match?
You got a lighter?
Can I bum a light?
to bum = to beg
Can I bum a cigarette off you?
Can I have a drag?
a drag = a puff of smoke
Where is the smoking room?
Where can you smoke around here?
Do you mind if I smoke?
You’re clueless. (informal)
You’re without a clue. (informal)
You wouldn’t know the truth if it jumped up and bit you on the nose. (jocular)
She doesn’t know nothing. (informal)
You don’t know beans. (informal)
You don’t know up from down. (informal)
You don’t know which end is up. (informal)
You don’t know your ass from your elbow. (vulgar)
You don’t know your ass from a hole in the ground. (vulgar)
You don’t know quality from a hole in the ground. (informal)
quality ≈ art, value, truth, engines, etc.
Don’t you know anything?
How can you be so stupid? (informal)
Get your head out of the sand. (idiomatic)
That ain’t the way I heard it. (folksy)
Let me set you straight.
You’re off your rocker. (informal)
You’re out of your mind. (informal)
He’s two bricks shy of a load. (slang)
You’re out of your tree. (slang)
You’re out of your head. (informal)
She’s out of her skull. (informal)
You’ve lost your marbles. (informal)
You’re crazy. (informal)
You’re nuts. (informal)
They can’t be serious.
You’re a few cards shy of a full deck. (idiomatic)
You’re a few cards short of a deck. (idiomatic)
You aren’t playing with a full deck. (idiomatic)
You’re one sandwich short of a picnic. (idiomatic)
Your front porch light is out.
You’ve gone over the edge.
You’ve gone off the deep end.
You’re nutty as a fruitcake. (cliché)
Are you crazy?
Is he nuts? (slang)
nuts = crazy
Are you psychotic, or what?
Are you out of your mind?
Are you out of your head?
Are you out of your gourd? (informal)
gourd = head
Are you out of your skull? (informal)
Are you out of your tree? (slang)
Have you gone crazy?
Have you gone insane?
Have you gone mad?
Have you gone stark raving mad?
Have you gone loco? (informal)
loco (Spanish) = crazy
Have you gone plumb loco? (informal)
plumb loco = completely crazy
Have you lost your mind?
Have you lost your senses?
Have you lost your marbles?
Have you wigged out? (slang)
Have you completely flipped out? (slang)
Have you flipped your lid? (slang)
Have you completely lost it? (informal)
Have you completely lost touch with reality?
Have you taken leave of your senses?
Do you have a screw loose? (slang)
What planet are you from?
Do you have rocks in your head? (informal)
Do you have bats in your belfry? (slang)
Are there bats in your belfry? (slang)
Are you playing with a full deck? (slang)
Hello? (informal)
What are you thinking?
What’s your deal? (informal)
What’s your problem? (informal)
What ((kind of) drugs) are you on? (informal)
What have you been smoking? (informal)
Where’s your head? (informal)
What’s with you? (informal)
What planet are you on? (informal)
Earth to Bill. (informal)
Get a life! (informal)
Get real!
Snap out of it.
Come back to earth. (informal)
Truly?
Really?
For real? (informal)
No kidding?
No fooling? (informal)
No lie? (informal)
No way! (informal)
Are you serious?
Are you for real? (informal)
Are you pulling my leg?
Are you bullshitting me? (mildly vulgar)
You’re not making this up, are you?
You’re making this up, aren’t you?
You’re not trying to pull one over on me, are you?
Unbelievable!
Get out of town!
You’re kidding!
You’ve got to be kidding!
You’ve got to be kidding me!
Stop it! (informal)
Get out of here! (informal)
I can’t believe it!
Do you expect me to believe that?
That blows my mind. (informal)
What do you mean?
What are you saying?
What are you trying to get at?
What are you getting at?
Do you mean to tell me?
What’s the bottom line?
This all boils down to what? (idiomatic)
How so?
So what’s the upshot?
What’s the point?
I didn’t get that.
I didn’t hear you.
Cut to the chase. (idiomatic)
I don’t see what you’re getting at.
I don’t get it.
I don’t follow you.
I don’t follow.
I’m not sure I follow.
I’m not sure I get your point.
I’m not sure I know what you mean.
That’s not what I meant.
That’s not what I said.
I didn’t mean that.
I didn’t say that.
I said no such thing.
I didn’t mean to give you that impression.
I didn’t mean to imply that.
Listen to me.
Open your ears. (informal)
Get the wax out of your ears. (informal)
You’re not listening to what I’m saying.
You’re only hearing what you want to hear.
You’re missing the point.
That’s not my point.
That’s not the point I’m trying to make.
You’ve got it wrong.
You’ve got it all wrong.
You’ve got me wrong.
You’ve twisted my words.
You’re putting words in my mouth.
You’re quoting me out of context.
You’re taking it out of context.
You’re blowing it out of proportion.
You’re blowing this all out of proportion.
Let me rephrase that.
Let me clarify that.
Allow me to clarify.
Let me make myself clear.
Let me make myself perfectly clear.
Honest.
Honestly.
Truly.
True.
That’s the truth.
That’s the honest truth.
That’s the honest-to-goodness truth.
Honest to goodness.
That’s the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
Cross my heart and hope to die. (juvenile)
Would I lie?
Would I lie to you?
Why would I lie?
I swear.
I swear to you.
I swear on a stack of Bibles. (mild oath)
I swear on my mother’s grave. (informal)
I swear to God. (mild oath)
May God strike me down if I am not telling you the truth. (mild oath)
That’s the gospel truth. (informal)
Take my word for it.
You have my word.
You have my word on this.
I give you my word.
I give you my word of honor.
On my honor.
Scout’s honor. (juvenile)
You can count on it.
You can bank on it.
You can take it to the bank.
You had better believe it.
Believe you me.
Trust me.
Don’t be such a doubting Thomas.
It’s cinched.
It’s locked up.
It’s sewn up.
It’s a sure thing.
It’s for sure.
It’s certain.
It’s in the bag.
It’s a done deal.
It’s as good as done.
Nothing can go wrong.
What can go wrong?
All’s well that ends well. (cliché)
That’s that.
What’s to go wrong?
It’s going to happen.
There’s no doubt in my mind.
There’s not a doubt in my mind.
It’s as plain as day.
It’s as clear as day.
It’s as plain as the nose on your face. (jocular)
Do I need to paint you a picture? (informal)
Must I paint you a picture? (informal)
That goes without saying.
Any fool can see it. (informal)
I find that hard to believe.
Unbelievable.
I find that hard to swallow.
I’ll take that with a grain of salt. (cliché)
I remain skeptical.
I’ll believe it when I see it.
You can’t fool me.
You can’t pull the wool over my eyes.
I wasn’t born yesterday.
Dunno. (informal)
I don’t know.
I don’t know and I don’t care.
I don’t have a clue.
I haven’t a clue.
I’m clueless.
I don’t have the faintest idea.
I haven’t the faintest idea.
I haven’t the vaguest notion.
I don’t have the foggiest notion.
Haven’t the foggiest.
Beats me. (informal)
Beats the heck out of me. (informal)
Beats the hell out of me. (mildly vulgar)
Got me beat. (informal)
You got me (there).
Got me stumped. (informal)
Got me.
How would I know?
How should I know?
How the hell should I know? (mildly vulgar)
Like I would know? (informal)
I give up. (informal)
Search me. (informal)
Who knows?
Lord knows. (mild oath)
God only knows. (mild oath)
I’m afraid not.
’Fraid not.
I’m afraid so.
’Fraid so.
If I must. (formal)
Well, if I have to.
Well, if you insist.
Well, if you really think so.
Well, if you really want me to.
I guess I have no choice in the matter.
It doesn’t sound like I have a choice.
We’ve got no choice.
We have no alternative.
There’s no alternative.
I’d rather not.
I’d rather die.
I’d sooner die.
Never in a thousand years.
Not in a million years.
Over my dead body. (informal)
That’s life.
That’s the way life is.
That’s how it goes.
That’s the way the ball bounces. (cliché)
That’s the way the cookie crumbles. (cliché)
Things could be worse.
It’s not as bad as all that.
Look on the bright(er) side. (cliché)
Make the best of it.
Half a loaf is better than none. (cliché)
It’s always darkest before dawn. (cliché)
Every cloud has a silver lining. (cliché)
When life hands you lemons, make lemonade. (cliché)
It’s the best we can do under the circumstances.
I wish we could do more.
You did the best you could.
You did the best that could be expected.
You get an A for effort.
The important thing is that you tried.
Winning isn’t everything. (cliché)
You can’t win them all. (cliché)
It’s not whether you win or lose, it’s how you play the game. (cliché)
You made a noble effort.
Truth is stranger than fiction. (cliché)
It was just one of those things. (cliché)
(Don’t ask why;) it just is.
Why ask why? (informal)
Who am I to question?
It’s for the best. (cliché)
It’s all for the best. (cliché)
When God closes a door, He opens a window. (cliché)
Don’t let it get you down.
Keep your chin up! (cliché)
Chin up!
Cheer up!
Keep a stiff upper lip. (cliché)
Grin and bear it. (cliché)
Grit your teeth. (cliché)
Take it in stride. (cliché)
Roll with the punches. (cliché)
Accept your fate.
You’ve made your bed; now lie in it. (cliché)
If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. (cliché)
The important thing is to learn from your mistakes.
The third time’s the charm. (cliché)
I’m between a rock and a hard place. (cliché)
I’m between the devil and the deep blue sea. (cliché)
I’m damned if I do and damned if I don’t. (mildly vulgar)
You’re damned if you do and damned if you don’t. (mildly vulgar)
It was destiny.
It was destined to happen.
It’s your fate.
It was fated to happen.
It’s fate.
It’s in the cards.
It’s in the stars.
It’s the cruel hand of fate.
That’s karma.
It’s God’s will.
It’s all in God’s plan.
It was meant to be.
Que sera, sera. (Spanish)
= Whatever will be, will be.
What will be, will be.
Whatever will be, will be.
You can’t fight it.
You can’t fight City Hall.
There’s nothing you can do about it.
You have to play the hand life deals you.
You’ve got to play the hand you’re dealt.
I should have known.
I should have known better.
If I (only) knew then what I know now …
If I (just) knew then what I know now …
If I’d known then what I know now …
If only I could turn back the hands of time.
If I could only turn back the clock.
It’s easy to be wise after the event.
That’s easy to say in hindsight.
Hindsight is 20/20.
20/20 = good vision in each eye at twenty feet
20/20 hindsight.
I don’t care.
I couldn’t care less.
I could care less. (informal)
I don’t give a damn. (mildly vulgar)
Like I give a damn. (mildly vulgar)
It doesn’t matter to me.
Really doesn’t matter to me.
Makes no difference to me.
Makes me no difference. (informal)
Makes me no nevermind. (folksy)
Makes no nevermind to me. (folksy)
Whichever.
Whatever.
Six of one, half (a) dozen of the other. (informal)
Up to you.
Whatever you prefer.
It’s not important.
I guess so.
I guess.