Are you free later today?
Could I come over later today?
Can I come over?
Do you mind if I stop by later today?
Would you mind if I stopped by later?
Would it be a problem if I dropped by for a few minutes?
Would it be all right if I dropped by for a few minutes?
Are you busy or can I come over?
When would be a good time for me to come over?
When’s a good time for you?
I’ll be there by seven.
I’ll be there after dinner.
Do I need to bring anything?
Would you like me to bring anything?
Can I bring something?
Can I bring anything?
Should I bring anything?
What should I bring?
Would you like me to bring wine?
Shall I bring wine?
I’ll bring the wine.
Let me bring dessert.
What time should I be there?
What do you have planned?
How should I dress?
What should I wear?
Is it casual or formal?
I’m planning to drive. How’s the parking?
Can I bring my kids?
May I bring a friend?
Can I bring something?
something = food
I’m sorry I’m late.
Sorry I’m late.
I’m sorry to have kept you waiting.
Sorry to have kept you waiting.
I misjudged the time.
I didn’t realize it was so late.
I lost track of time.
I overslept.
My alarm didn’t go off.
I got a late start.
I got sidetracked.
sidetracked = detoured; distracted
My last appointment ran over.
I had to run an errand.
I had to drop someone off.
I had to get money.
I couldn’t get a taxi.
I couldn’t get a cab.
The bus was late.
I missed the bus.
I missed my ride.
My ride didn’t show (up).
I had to get gas.
I had to stop for gas.
I had to stop and get gas.
I ran out of gas.
Traffic was slow.
Traffic was hell. (mildly vulgar)
I was stuck in traffic.
I got lost.
I missed my exit.
There was construction.
There was an accident.
It took me longer to get here than I thought it would.
It took longer than I expected to get here.
I didn’t realize this was so far away.
It was further than I thought.
I was looking for parking.
I couldn’t find a parking spot.
I couldn’t find a parking place.
I couldn’t find a place to park.
I hope you started without me.
I’m glad you started without me.
Were you waiting long?
You should have started without me.
Next time start without me.
Look who’s here!
Am I surprised to see you!
Am I ever surprised to see you!
Look at what the cat dragged in! (folksy)
Fancy meeting you here.
Come on in.
Come right on in.
Come right in.
Do come in. (formal)
Please come in.
Come in and relax for a few minutes.
Come in and take a load off your feet. (folksy)
Come in and take a load off. (folksy)
Come in and sit down.
Come in and set a spell. (folksy)
Come in and stay a while.
Come in and make yourself at home.
To what do I owe the pleasure of this unexpected visit? (formal)
To what do I owe this visit?
What are you doing here?
What brings you here?
What brings you to this neck of the woods? (folksy)
neck of the woods = location
Why this delightful surprise?
What a delightful surprise!
What a nice surprise!
It’s nice to see you again.
It’s a pleasure to see you again. (formal)
It’s so good to see you again.
It’s so good to see you after all this time.
Good seeing you again.
I’m delighted to have you visit.
I’m delighted to have you.
Delighted to have you here.
I’m so happy you looked me up.
I’m so glad you looked me up.
I’m so glad you took the trouble to look me up.
I’m so glad you could come.
I’m so glad you could come by.
I’m so glad you could make it.
I’m so glad you could drop by.
I’m so glad you could stop by.
I’m so glad you could visit.
Glad you could come.
Glad you could drop by.
Glad you could stop by.
We’ve wanted to have you over before this.
We’ve wanted to invite you over before this.
We’ve been meaning to have you over.
We’ve been meaning to invite you over.
We’ve been looking forward to seeing you for a long time.
We’ve been wanting to see you for a long time.
Make yourself comfortable.
Make yourself comfy.
Make yourself right at home.
Make yourself at home.
Would you like to take off your coat?
Here, let me take your coat.
Can I take your coat and hat?
Can I help you off with your things?
Let me help you off with your things.
Take your coat off and stay awhile.
Why don’t you take off your coat and make yourself comfortable?
Put your things anywhere and sit down for a minute.
Just drop your coat here. (informal)
Can you stay for dinner?
Can you ≈ Would you, Are you able to, Will you
Can you have dinner with us?
Can you stay and have dinner with us?
Would you care to stay for dinner?
Please make yourself at home.
Our house is your house.
My house is your house.
If there’s anything you need, don’t hesitate to ask.
If there’s anything you want, don’t hesitate to ask.
If there’s anything I can do for you, just ask.
You’re to do exactly as you please.
Please do exactly as you please.
Would you like to freshen up a bit?
Would you like something to drink?
Can I get you something to drink?
Please sit down.
Have a seat.
Try this chair. It’s more comfortable.
Would you like to sit over here?
Would you prefer a more comfortable chair?
Please come into the living room.
Come on in the living room.
Right this way. Everyone seems to be in the kitchen.
The other guests are in the library.
Would you like to join us in the living room?
Everyone is in the living room. Would you care to join us?
Please go around and introduce yourself to everyone.
Can you just introduce yourself to the other guests?
Just go in and meet everyone.
I hope you don’t mind introducing yourself around.
Don’t stand on ceremony. Make yourself known.
Get yourself a drink and something to eat.
Please feel free to mingle with the other guests.
I hope you don’t mind getting yourself a drink.
The bar’s over there. Please help yourself.
Mind if I join you?
Care if I join you?
May I join you?
Hello, my name is Bill.
Hello, I’m Jane.
So how do you know John and Mary?
I work with John.
I’m friends with Mary.
I’m a friend of Mary’s.
Have you tried the dip?
Great party, huh? (informal)
What a great spread!
spread = display of party food
Where can I put my coat?
Do you mind if I smoke?
Mind if I smoke?
Where is the bathroom(, please)?
You have a beautiful home.
The table looks beautiful.
I love what you have done with the living room.
You have a wonderful place.
You have wonderful taste.
Nice weather we’re having.
Lousy weather, isn’t it?
Horrible weather we’re having.
Lovely weather for ducks. (sarcastic)
It’s raining again.
Hot enough for you? (ironic)
Cold enough for you? (ironic)
It’s not the heat; it’s the humidity. (cliché)
What’s new?
What’s up?
What time is it?
Do you have the time?
This food is good, isn’t it?
How have you been?
How’s work?
How’s your family?
How’s the family?
Looks like you just got a haircut.
I like your hair.
I like your outfit.
That dress is lovely.
That dress looks nice on you.
Where did you buy that sweater? I’ve been wanting to get one.
Can I take a look at your paper?
What are you listening to?
What book are you reading?
Read any good books lately?
Did you see that show last night?
Do you have a cigarette?
Do you have a breath mint?
I’m going to get a coffee. Would you like one?
Nice weather we’re having.
The sun is shining.
It’s bright and sunny.
It’s eighty degrees.
Lousy weather, huh?
Horrible weather we’re having.
Lovely weather for ducks. (sarcastic)
It’s not the heat; it’s the humidity. (cliché)
It’s raining again.
It’s raining cats and dogs. (cliché)
What a storm!
What a downpour!
What a snowstorm!
What a blizzard!
Hot enough for you? (ironic)
It’s raining.
It’s snowing.
It’s cold.
It’s hot.
It’s humid.
It’s foggy.
It’s smoggy.
It’s muggy.
It’s windy.
It’s too crowded in here.
I feel like a sardine.
We’re packed in like sardines.
We’re crammed in like sardines.
We’re crammed solid.
This party is wall-to-wall people.
It’s absolutely jam-packed.
I’m getting claustrophobic.
I need some elbowroom.
There’s no room to breathe.
There’s not enough room to swing a cat. (folksy)
Do we have everything?
Have we forgotten anything?
Did we forget anything?
Do you have your keys?
Did you leave a light on?
I can’t find my keys.
Wait, I forgot my wallet.
Did you bring the map?
Do you have the directions?
Is the answering machine on?
Did you go to the bathroom?
Did you unplug the iron?
Did you turn off the TV?
Did you turn off the stove?
I’ll be gone just a few minutes.
See you in an hour.
I won’t be late.
I’ll be back by ten.
I’ll be home late.
Don’t wait up for me.
Well, it’s getting late.
Is it that late already?
Is it that time already?
Looks like it’s that time.
The time has come.
I hate to eat and run.
I don’t want to wear out my welcome.
I need my beauty sleep. (jocular)
We have to get up early tomorrow.
We have a big day tomorrow.
big = busy
I need to run.
I’m afraid I must run.
I’m afraid I must be going.
I’ve got to be running.
I’m afraid I have to be going.
I’ve got to be going.
I’d best be off.
I’d best leave now.
I better get moving.
I better hit the road.
I must be off.
I must say good night.
I’ve got to hit the road. (idiomatic)
I better get on my horse. (idiomatic)
I’m off. (informal)
I’m out of here. (slang)
I’m history. (slang)
Better be going.
Better be off.
Better get moving.
Better hit the road. (idiomatic)
Time to call it a day.
Time to call it a night.
Time to go.
Time to run.
Time to hit the road.
Time to move along.
Time to push along.
Time to push off.
Time to shove off.
Time to split. (slang)
Time flies when you’re having fun. (cliché)
Gotta go.
Got to hit the road.
Got to run.
Got to shove off.
Got to split. (slang)
Got to take off.
Got to fly.
Got to get moving.
Got to go home and get my beauty sleep. (jocular)
Have to be moving along.
Have to go now.
Have to move along.
Have to run along.
Have to shove off.
Thanks for having me over.
Thank you for a lovely evening. (formal)
Thank you for a lovely time. (formal)
Thank you for having us.
Thank you for inviting us.
Do you want a cup of coffee before you go?
Are you sober enough to drive?
Can I call you a taxi?
Can you find your way home?
Will you get home all right?
Will you get home okay? (informal)
Do you have everything?
everything = everything that you arrived with
It’s been a delightful visit. (formal)
It’s been delightful.
It’s been our pleasure.
So good to see you.
Do you have everything?
Thank you for coming.
Thanks for dropping in.
Thanks for dropping by.
Thanks for stopping over.
I’m so glad you stopped by.
Glad you could come.
Glad you could drop by.
Glad you could stop by.
Come back soon.
Come back anytime.
Come back when you can stay longer.
Do come back soon.
Let’s do this again soon.
We have to do this again sometime.
See you soon.
Wow!
Gosh!
Golly!
Gee!
Gee whiz!
Gee willikers!
Holy cow!
Holy smoke!
Holy Toledo!
Son of a gun!
Son of a bitch! (mildly vulgar)
Son of a bucket!
Son of a sea biscuit!
Well, I’ll be!
I’ll be darned!
I’ll be damned! (mildly vulgar)
Well, I’ll be a monkey’s uncle!
What do you know?
Imagine that!
Can you beat that!
Fancy that!
Isn’t that something!
Well if that ain’t the cats’ meow.
By gum! (folksy)
By golly! (folksy)
By Jove!
Great Scott!
Oh, my!
My word!
Oh, my goodness!
My goodness!
Goodness!
Heavens!
Good heavens!
For heaven’s sake!
For Pete’s sake!
For pity’s sake!
Good gracious!
Good grief!
Goodness gracious!
My God! (oath)
Oh my God! (oath)
God forbid! (mild oath)
Great!
Excellent!
Hot dog!
Hot diggety! (folksy)
Good Lord!
Hot damn! (mildly vulgar)
Lordy! (mild oath)
Lordy be! (mild oath)
Lord have mercy! (mild oath)
Saints preserve us! (mild oath)
Glory be!
Hush my mouth! (folksy)
Shut my mouth! (folksy)
As I live and breathe!
My stars!
Gadzooks!
You don’t say!
Will wonders never cease!
Amen!
= I agree!
Hallelujah!
= Hooray!
Alleluia!
= Hooray!
Hosanna!
= Hooray!
Glory (be) to God!
Praise be to God!
Thanks be to God.
Nice try. (sarcastic)
Not quite.
So near and yet so far.
So close and yet so far.
Close, but no cigar. (cliché)
You were within a hair’s breadth.
Close enough for government work. (informal)
Almost only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades. (cliché)
It’s all or nothing.
A miss is as good as a mile. (cliché)
She died.
She’s deceased.
She expired. (formal)
She passed on. (euphemistic)
She passed away. (euphemistic)
He’s no longer among us.
He’s not among the living.
She’s gone to a better land.
She’s gone to heaven.
She’s with the angels.
She’s joined the angels in heaven. (euphemistic)
She’s gone to meet her maker.
She met her maker.
She’s with her maker.
The Lord took her home. (euphemistic)
He went west. (euphemistic)
He quit this world. (euphemistic)
She kicked the bucket. (slang)
He kicked off. (slang)
She kicked. (slang)
He bit the big one. (slang)
He bit the dust. (slang)
She dropped dead. (informal)
She bought the farm. (slang)
She bought the ranch. (slang)
She’s six feet under. (informal)
He’s pushing up daisies. (informal)
She croaked. (slang)
Let it be.
Leave it be.
Let it go.
Let things be.
Live and let live.
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. (cliché)
Let sleeping dogs lie. (cliché)
Don’t make waves. (idiomatic)
Don’t rock the boat. (idiomatic)
Don’t make trouble.
Don’t go looking for trouble.
Different strokes for different folks.
One man’s meat is another man’s poison.
One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.
Tastes differ.
There’s no accounting for taste.
Variety is the spice of life.
It takes all kinds.
It takes all kinds to make a world.
Vive la difference! (French)
= Hooray for the difference!
Be prepared!
Be careful!
Watch out!
Watch it!
Look out!
Look sharp!
Watch your step!
Heads up!
Behind you!
To your right!
On your left!
Coming through!
Gangway!
Fore!
(said in golfing when the ball is struck)
Duck!
Hit the pavement!
Hit the deck!
Beware!
Caution!
Proceed with caution.
Man overboard!
(said when someone falls from a boat into the water)
Fire!
Take care.
Safety first.
Look before you leap.
Let’s take this one step at a time. (cliché)
Leave nothing to chance. (cliché)
Slow down.
Take your time.
Play it cool.
Play it safe.
Don’t blow your cover.
Stop, look, and listen.
Look both ways before you cross the street.
Let the buyer beware.
Caveat emptor. (Latin)
= Let the buyer beware.
We’re not out of the woods yet. (idiomatic)
We’re skating on thin ice.
He vanished.
He just disappeared.
He disappeared without a trace.
It was gone without a trace.
He was gone with the wind. (cliché)
Poof! He was gone. (informal)
One minute she was there and the next minute she wasn’t.
Now, where did he disappear to?
Now, where’s he gotten to? (folksy)
Now, where did he run off to? (folksy)
What goes around, comes around.
You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours.
One hand washes the other.
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
Do as you would be done by.
As a man sows, so shall he reap.
Tit for tat.
= This in return for that.
Quid pro quo. (Latin)
= Tit for tat.
April showers bring May flowers.
You made your bed; now lie in it.
As the twig is bent, so is the tree inclined.
As the twig is bent, so grows the tree.
One good turn deserves another.
One thing leads to another.
It’s not over ’til it’s over.
Boys will be boys.
East is east, west is west.
Life is life.
Enough is enough.
Whatsit.
Whaddya call it.
Whatchamacallit.
Whatchamajig.
Thingamajig.
Thingamajigger.
What’s ’er name.
What’s ’is name.
What’s ’is face.
What’s ’er face.
You know who.
You know what I mean.
That certain something.
Je ne sais quoi. (French)
= I don’t know.
There is a time and a place for everything. (cliché)
A place for everything and everything in its place. (cliché)
Everything has its season. (cliché)
All in due time. (cliché)
First things first. (cliché)
First come, first served. (cliché)
The first shall be last and the last shall be first. (Biblical)
Rules are made to be broken. (cliché)
Rules are meant to be followed, not broken.
When in Rome, do as the Romans do. (cliché)
Don’t put the cart before the horse. (cliché)
Don’t count your chickens before they are hatched. (cliché)
Let’s cross that bridge when we come to it. (cliché)
Do what you are told.
Do as you are told.
I just do what I am told.
I just do as I am told.
I just work here.
Follow the rules.
That’s how we do it here.
Go by the book.
You must go through proper channels.
This place is a mess.
This place is a pigsty.
This place is a disgrace.
What a mess.
What a pit. (slang)
What a dump. (slang)
What a junk heap. (slang)
This place looks like a tornado hit it.
This place looks like a national disaster (area).
This place looks like a disaster area.
This place looks like it went through the war.
This place looks like it’s been through a war.
This place looks like it’s been through World War III.
How can you find anything in here?
How do you expect to find anything in this mess?
Were you raised in a barn?
How about cleaning up a little around here?
If you would put things where they belong, they wouldn’t get lost.
United we stand; divided we fall.
A house divided against itself cannot stand.
All for one and one for all.
Birds of a feather flock together.
Many hands make light work.
When I was a kid …
When I was your age …
In my day …
In my time …
In that day and age …
Those were the days.
Those were the good old days.
They don’t make them like they used to.
You don’t know your own strength.
You’re as strong as an ox.
A chain is only as strong as its weakest link.
He’s set in his ways.
A leopard cannot change his spots.
You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.
Old habits die hard.
You’re as stubborn as a bull.
Why are you so bullheaded?
It’s hot in here.
It’s like an oven in here.
I’m going to melt.
Open a window.
Turn on the air-conditioner.
Hot enough for you? (ironic)
Is it hot enough for you? (ironic)
It’s not the heat, it’s the humidity. (cliché)
It’s as hot as hell. (mildly vulgar)
It’s cold in here.
I’m freezing.
I’m shivering.
My teeth are chattering.
My lips are blue.
I’m going numb.
I’m chilled to the bone.
Shut the window.
Turn on the heat.
Turn up the heat.
Turn the heat up.
Cold enough for you? (ironic)
Is it cold enough for you? (ironic)
Et cetera. (Latin)
= And so forth.
And so on.
And so forth.
And everything.
And everything else.
And everything like that.
And all like that.
And stuff like that (there). (slang)
And what have you.
And like that.
And then some.
It was white as snow.
Her skin was white as alabaster.
Her skin was like alabaster.
You’re as pale as a ghost.
You’re white as a ghost.
It’s pitch black.
It’s black as night.
It’s black as coal.
I can’t see my hand in front of my face.
It’s as clean as a whistle.
It’s so clean you could eat off the floor.
It’s spic and span.
Clean your room.
Pick up your clothes.
I want you to pick up your room.
I want this place spotless.
Pick up after yourself.
Were you raised in a barn?
You live like a pig!
A place for everything, and everything in its place. (cliché)
Cleanliness is next to godliness. (cliché)
Unbelievable!
I had no idea!
Who would have thought?
It was the last thing I expected.
I never would have guessed.
I was caught unaware.
I was caught unawares. (informal)
It was the shock of my life.
It dropped like a bomb.
It dropped from the clouds.
It appeared from the clouds.
It burst onto the scene.
It came out of left field.
It came from nowhere.
It appeared out of nowhere.
It came from out of the blue.
It was a bolt from the blue.
It threw me for a loop.
That knocked me for a loop.
You could have knocked me over with a feather. (cliché)
It came as no surprise.
I knew it was coming.
It’s just as I expected.
My fingers are crossed.
I’m crossing my fingers.
I’m waiting with bated breath. (cliché)
I’ll wait for you.
I’ll stay up for you.
I’ll wait up.
I’ll sit up and wait.
I have a hunch.
I have a feeling.
I just have this feeling.
I get the feeling something’s going to happen.
I feel it in my bones.
I can feel it.
I can sense it.
My sixth sense tells me that …
My gut tells me that …
It’s women’s intuition.
A storm is brewing.
The handwriting’s on the wall. (cliché)
It’s an omen.
It’s a harbinger of things to come.
It’s a sign of things to come.
It’s a portent of things to come.
It’s a good sign.
It’s a bad sign.
It’s a good omen.
It’s a bad omen.
You’re as busy as a beaver.
You’re as busy as a bee.
Many hands make light work.
A little work never hurt anyone.
It’s all in a day’s work.
A woman’s work is never done.
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.
God helps those who help themselves.
I’ve gone out of my way to please you.
I’ve bent over backwards for you.
I’ve gone the extra mile.
I’ve gone beyond the call of duty.
I’ve gone above and beyond the call of duty.
You’ve gotten the royal treatment.
I’ve treated you like a king.
I’ve treated you like a queen.
We’ve rolled out the red carpet. (idiomatic)
= We’ve prepared for the event as if we were preparing for royalty.
You’re getting the red-carpet treatment. (idiomatic)
red-carpet = royal
We aim to please.
We aim to treat you right. (folksy)
Give it to me.
Give it here. (informal)
Give it up. (informal)
Gimme it. (informal)
Gimme. (informal)
Give. (informal)
Cough it up. (informal)
it = money
Hand it over. (informal)
Fork it over. (slang)
Let me have it.
Where is it?
Leave it go. (informal)
Let it go.
Let go of that.
This is your big night.
This could be your lucky day.
This is it.
This is the moment you’ve been waiting for.
This is the big moment.
Knock ’em dead. (informal)
Break a leg. (informal)
(a way of wishing good luck to an actor before a performance)
Make us proud of you.
Make us proud.
I’m sure you will make us proud of you.
You’re dressed to the nines. (slang)
You’re dressed to kill. (slang)
You’re all dressed up.
You’re all gussied up. (informal)
gussied up = dressed up (male or female)
You’re all dolled up. (informal)
dolled up = dressed up like a doll (male or female)
You look great in a monkey suit. (informal)
monkey suit = tuxedo; evening jacket (usually male)
You look like a million bucks.
You look like a million dollars.
You look like a million.
You look a million.
Do you want me to go (away)?
Do you want me to leave?
Would you like me to leave?
If you want me to leave, just ask.
If you want me to leave, why don’t you just say so?
I know when I’m not wanted.
I don’t like being here any better than you do.
Am I cramping your style? (informal)
I was hoping for more.
I was counting on more.
I was gunning for more.
It’s not what I had in mind.
It’s not what I pictured.
It’s not what I hoped for.
It’s not what I had hoped for.
It’s not what I expected.
It’s not what I anticipated.
I expected something more.
It’s a far cry from what I expected.
It leaves a lot to be desired.
They got the best of me.
I’ve been cheated.
I didn’t get what I bargained for.
I was taken advantage of.
I got left holding the bag.
I got ≈ I’ve been, I was
I got gypped. (informal)
gypped = cheated
I got rooked. (informal)
rooked = cheated
I got the short end of the stick.
the short end of the stick = the losing part of a bargain
I got robbed. (informal)
I got taken to the cleaners. (informal)
I got a bum deal. (informal)
a bum deal = a bad deal; an unfair deal
I got a raw deal. (informal)
a raw deal = a bad deal; an unfair deal
I got screwed. (mildly vulgar)
I got chewed out. (informal)
I got ≈ I’ve been, I was
I got my ass chewed out. (mildly vulgar)
I got raked over the coals. (idiomatic)
I got hauled over the coals. (idiomatic)
I got an earful.
I was put through the wringer.
I was taken to task.
They let me off the hook this time. (idiomatic)
off the hook = free from an obligation or guilt
They let me off easy.
They let me off with just a warning.
They let it slide.
They let it go.
I just got a slap on the wrist.
a slap on the wrist = a mild punishment
It broke.
It’s broken.
It doesn’t work.
It’s on the fritz. (idiomatic)
on the fritz = out of order
on the blink = out of order
This thing is really screwed up! (informal)
screwed up = messed up; made to be out of order
It’s out of order.
It’s out of service.
It’s out of kilter. (informal)
It’s out of whack. (informal)
It’s dead. (informal)
It’s kaput. (slang)
kaput (German) = dead
It up and died (on me). (folksy)
It died on me.
It’s in the shop.
in the shop = in the repair shop
It’s out of commission.
That’s the straw that broke the camel’s back. (cliché)
= That’s the minor thing that will finally trigger some activity.
That’s the last straw! (cliché)
the last straw — the straw that broke the camel’s back
That does it!
That’s it.
I’ve had it.
That tears it. (idiomatic)
This is too much.
This is more than I can bear.
This is more than I can take.
This is more than I can stand.
I needed that like a hole in the head. (sarcastic)
That’s a fine how-do-you-do.
Here’s a fine how-do-you-do.
Well, that takes the cake! (idiomatic)
That’s just swell! (sarcastic)
That’s just great! (sarcastic)
Now what?
= What else could possibly happen at this point?