You’re just like your mother.
You take after your father.
You are your father all over again.
It’s like I’m talking to your mother.
She looks just like her mother.
She looks just like her mother did at that age.
She’s the picture of her mother.
She favors her mother.
He’s the spit and image of his grandfather.
He’s the spitting image of his grandfather.
He’s got his father’s features.
She’s got her mother’s nose.
= Her nose is very much like her mother’s nose.
She resembles her Aunt Martha.
He’s a chip off the old block.
She’s following in her father’s footsteps.
Like father, like son.
Like mother, like daughter.
He’s a real mama’s boy.
She’s a real daddy’s girl.
She’s daddy’s little girl.
We are (all) family.
Blood runs thicker than water.
How can you do that to your own flesh and blood?
The family that prays together stays together. (cliché)
When do we eat?
What’s to eat?
What’s for supper?
What are we having?
Dinner’s almost ready.
It’s almost done.
It will be on the table in a minute.
It’s almost ready. (It’s) time to eat.
Dinner’s ready.
Soup’s on! (informal)
= Dinner’s ready!
Don’t sit on the counter.
Don’t eat that; you’ll spoil your dinner.
Don’t stand in front of the refrigerator with the door open.
Watch out; it’s hot!
Don’t drink milk out of the carton!
Don’t drink milk out of the jug!
Would you set the table?
Go sit down; supper’s ready.
Go tell your father supper’s ready.
Call the family to dinner.
Call everyone to the table.
Sarah, would you say grace?
Who wants to say grace?
Fold your hands.
Could you pour me some more milk?
More milk please.
Could I have seconds, please?
May I have seconds, please?
Would you like some more of this?
Is there any more of this?
What’s for dessert?
Don’t put your elbows on the table.
Don’t talk with your mouth full.
Don’t read at the table.
No TV during dinner.
TV = television
Wipe your mouth.
Put your napkin on your lap.
Put your napkin in your lap.
Andrew, please clear the table.
Please put your dishes in the sink.
dishes = all crockery and utensils
Please carry your own dishes to the kitchen.
It’s your turn to do the dishes.
It’s your turn to clear the table.
I’ll scrape and you load (the dishwasher).
Whose turn is it to do the dishes?
I’ll wash and you dry.
May I please leave the table?
(said by a child)
(said by a child)
Do you mind if I leave the table?
(said by an adult)
I’ll have to excuse myself.
(said by an adult)
Would you excuse me?
Finish your dinner.
You have to eat everything.
You have to eat everything that you serve yourself.
You have to eat some of everything.
You have to clean up your plate.
If you don’t eat your vegetables, you won’t get any dessert.
If you don’t eat your dinner, you won’t get any dessert.
There are starving children in Africa.
Africa = Bosnia, Asia, South America, etc.
Turn the stereo down.
Turn the stereo off.
Turn the radio off.
Let’s find a different station.
What station is this?
What do you want to hear?
Don’t wear your shoes on the good carpet.
Don’t sit on the good furniture.
Don’t put your feet on the furniture.
Keep your feet off (of) the furniture.
What’s on TV?
TV = television
What’s on?
What’s on tonight?
What’s on the tube?
the tube = the television (picture tube)
What’s on channel five?
What do you want to watch?
What do you want to see?
What are you watching?
Where is the TV guide?
Where is the TV listing?
Is this any good?
Is there anything on?
There anything good on?
Find a channel and stick with it. (informal)
Stick with one channel. (informal)
Stick to one channel. (informal)
Stop flipping channels. (informal)
Change the channel.
Let’s change the channel.
Hand me the remote control.
Where is the remote (control)?
Give me the remote.
You’re sitting too close to the TV.
Can’t you get a better picture?
Turn the TV off if you’re not watching it.
Turn it up, please.
Please adjust the rabbit ears.
rabbit ears = a type of indoor television antenna
Please adjust the antenna.
Turn it down.
Could you please turn it down?
Please turn down the TV.
Turn it off.
I’m going to take a nap.
I’m going to take a catnap.
a catnap = a short nap
I’m going to take a snooze.
a snooze = a nap
I’m going to get some shut-eye.
some shut-eye = some sleep
I’m going to catch forty winks.
forty winks = some sleep
I’m going to catch some Z’s.
Z’s = snoring = sleep
I’m off to bed.
I’m going to bed.
It’s bedtime.
It’s past my bedtime.
I’m going to sleep.
I’m going to hit the sack. (idiomatic)
I’m going to hit the hay. (idiomatic)
I’m going to crash. (slang)
I think I’ll retire for the night. (formal)
I think I’ll say good night now.
Good night.
Sleep tight. Don’t let the bedbugs bite.
(usually said to a child)
See you in the morning.
Sweet dreams.
Pleasant dreams.
Sleep well.
Night-night.
(usually said to a child)
Nighty-night.
(usually said to a child)
Sit.
Stay.
Roll over.
Shake hands.
Shake.
Play dead.
Fetch!
Heel.
Sic ’em.
sic = attack
Come!
Come here.
Here, boy!
Here, girl!
Good boy!
Good girl!
Bad dog!
Do you want to go outside?
Did you walk the dog?
Someone has to walk the dog.
Will you please put the cat out?
The dog wants to get out.
Where is the gerbil?
The guinea pig is loose again.
Please clean the (cat’s) litter (box) now!
The cat’s litter needs changing.
We’re out of dog chow.
dog chow = dried dog food
Time to crack the books.
to crack = to open
Time to hit the books.
to hit = to use
Gotta cram. (slang)
to cram = to study hard; to cram knowledge into one’s brain
I need to cram for a final. (slang)
I have a lot of studying to do.
I have to study.
I’ve got to study.
I’ve got a midterm tomorrow.
I’ve got a final exam tomorrow.
I’ve got a big test tomorrow.
I’ve got a big exam tomorrow.
I’d like to discuss my daughter’s progress.
I’d like to talk about my daughter’s grade.
How is my daughter doing in class?
My daughter seems to be having trouble in class.
She’s having a hard time with her homework.
What can I do to help her at home?
How can I help her with her homework?
Do you have a note from home?
Do you have a note from your mother?
Do you have a note from your doctor?
Can I still get into your course?
What texts are required?
What is the book list for the course?
Is a paper required for this course?
Is there a final for this course?
Is attendance required in this course?
What are the requirements?
When are your office hours?
Where is your office?
Could you explain that again?
I don’t get it. Please explain.
Please go over that part again.
I don’t understand.
I still don’t understand.
I do not understand your English. Please speak more plainly.
I’m having a problem understanding the TA.
TA = Teaching Assistant
When is the final (exam)?
When is the midterm?
What do you want us to know for the test?
What will the test cover?
Will there be a review session?
Will the test cover the whole book?
Will the test take the whole period?
What’s on the test?
How many pages do we have to read for Monday?
How many pages?
Will we have to turn in our homework?
What’s the reading assignment for next time?
Will there be a quiz?
What’s the assignment for tomorrow?
Can you tell me what grade I’m getting?
Would you tell me what grade I’m getting?
Do you grade on a curve?
How many A’s were there?
What’s the grading curve?
I worked hard, so don’t I deserve a good grade?
Can I talk to you about my grade?
You’re it!
Not it!
Olly oily oxen free.
Last one there’s a rotten egg.
Step on a crack; break your mother’s back.
Finders keepers, losers weepers.
I got dibs on the apple pie!
dibs = a claim
Dibs on the apple pie!
Dibsies!
You got cooties! (informal)
cooties = lice
Stop making fun of me.
Stop picking on me.
Leave me alone.
I’m telling Mom.
I’m going to tell on you.
I’m telling.
Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me.
I’m rubber and you’re glue; whatever you say bounces off me and sticks to you.
I know you are, but what am I?
Meanie!
And how are you today?
And what is your name?
How old are you?
You’ve gotten so big!
You’re growing so tall.
Your turning into (quite) a little lady.
Your turning into (quite) a little gentleman.
What a big girl!
My, my! Haven’t you grown!
What grade are you in?
How do you like school?
Do you go to school yet?
How many years till you’re in school?
What’s your favorite subject in school?
Have you been a good boy?
Are you being a good girl?
How many brothers and sisters do you have?
That’s very good.
You’re a good little boy.
You’re a good little girl.
Good boy!
Good girl!
Big boy!
What a big girl!
I’m so proud of you.
Mommy’s proud of you.
We are very proud of you.
Behave.
Behave yourself.
Be good.
Be a good girl.
Be a good boy.
That’s enough of that!
Sit down.
Be quiet.
Quiet!
Let’s be quiet.
Shhh!
Hush!
Not another word!
I don’t want to hear a(nother) peep out of you!
a peep = a sound
I don’t want to hear a single peep out of you!
Stop it.
Stop that.
Settle down.
That’s enough of that!
Simmer down.
Put that down.
Keep your hands to yourself.
Look with your eyes not your hands. (cliché)
Put that away.
Leave that alone.
Don’t touch that.
Don’t bother your father while he’s driving.
Stop pestering your little brother.
Keep your hands to yourself.
Keep your hands off your little brother.
Stop teasing your little sister.
Leave him be.
Let him be.
Clean up your room.
Pick up your room.
Pick up your clothes.
Put your toys away.
Make your bed.
Go wash your hands.
Go wash your face.
Go brush your teeth.
Comb your hair.
Be sure and wash behind your ears.
Sit up straight.
Don’t slouch (down) (in your chair).
Stand up straight.
Don’t walk all bent over.
Stand tall.
Keep your mouth closed.
Chew with your mouth closed.
Don’t talk with your mouth full.
Close your mouth while you’re eating.
Put your napkin in your lap.
Get your elbows off the table.
Don’t wolf your food down like that.
You’ll get a stomachache.
Eat your vegetables.
Finish your vegetables.
No dessert until you finish your vegetables.
No dessert unless you clean (up) your plate.
No dessert unless you finish your dinner.
Move back from the TV.
Turn that thing off.
Turn that music down.
Turn that racket down.
racket = noise
I can’t hear myself think with all that racket.
Don’t talk to strangers.
Don’t take food or candy from somebody you don’t know.
Never get into a car with a stranger.
Don’t play with that. You’ll put your eye(s) out.
Look before you leap. (cliché)
Look both ways (before crossing the street).
Keep both hands on the handlebars.
You’re going to break your neck.
If you make that face again, your face will freeze that way.
Do your homework.
Did you finish your homework?
You can’t go outside until you finish your homework.
You can’t watch television until you finish your homework.
No television until you finish your homework.
Can I help you with your homework?
Don’t forget to take your homework to school.
Do you have any homework tonight?
Let’s see your homework.
It’s time to go to bed.
Off to bed now.
Go to bed.
It’s bedtime.
It’s past your bedtime.
I told you to go before we left.
How many times have I told you to stop that?
How many times do I have to tell you?
If I’ve told you once, I’ve told you a thousand times.
Why can’t you behave?
When will you learn?
I’ve had it up to here with you.
Listen to me when I’m talking to you.
I’ll give you what for.
Because I said so.
Because.
Do you want a spanking?
Do you want a time-out?
Do you want to be grounded?
Go to your room.
I want you to go to your room and think about what you did.
You’re grounded.
I’m grounding you.
Do as I say.
Do as I tell you.
Do what I tell you.
Do as you’re told.
Do you understand?
Understand?
Is that clear?
Have I made myself clear?
Do I make myself clear?
Do I make myself perfectly clear?
Did you hear me?
Do you hear me?
Do you hear?
Mind your manners.
Mind your Ps and Qs. (idiomatic)
Behave.
Behave yourself.
I expect you to be on your best behavior.
Act like a lady.
Act like a gentleman.
Say “excuse me.”
Say “thank you.”
Say “you’re welcome.”
Say “please.”
What’s the magic word?
the magic word = the word please
What do you say?
= Say “please.”
Yes, what?
= Say “Yes, sir; Yes, ma’am; or Yes, please.”
(Always) remember to say please and thank you.