Phrases

Question 1

[I don’t know]

Answer 1

I’ve no idea.

Question 2

[used to say you are not sure because
other things affect your answer; also It depends]

Answer 2

That depends.

Question 3

[OK]?

Answer 3

why not

Question 4

[used to say no but not strongly]

Answer 4

Not really.

Question 5

[that’s impossible; infml; syn no chance]

Answer 5

No way.

Question 6

[used to say yes but not strongly]

Answer 6

I suppose so.

Question 7

[I was very surprised when I saw it]

Answer 7

I couldn’t believe my eyes!

Question 8

(syns you’re joking/kidding) when someone has just said
something that is a surprise. It may be an unpleasant surprise (as above), or a nice surprise, e.g.

Answer 8

You must be joking.

Question 9

[used to express great surprise]

Answer 9

B: I don’t believe it!

Question 10

[used to fill a pause in conversation]

Answer 10

you know,

Question 11

[speak to them without others listening]

Answer 11

have a word with

Question 12

[listen]

Answer 12

pay attention

Question 13

kind of thing [examples of that type]

Answer 13

that sort of thing.

Question 14

[wait to discover what will happen]

Answer 14

wait and see

Question 15

[what will you do if …?]

Answer 15

what if

Question 16

[change your decision]

Answer 16

change your mind

Question 17

[I didn’t know they were coming; it was unexpected]

Answer 17

They arrived OUT OF THE BLUE

Question 18

[sound familiar]?

Answer 18

Does the name Merchant RING A BELL

Question 19

[make a decision]

Answer 19

make up your mind

Question 20

[remove it, e.g. sell it, throw it away, give it away, etc.]

Answer 20

get rid of

Question 21

[I am going to …]

Answer 21

I’m (just) about to

Question 22

[suddenly started crying]

Answer 22

burst into tears

Question 23

[not including; syn except for]

Answer 23

apart from

Question 24

[four days from now; also in three weeks’/six months’/two
years’ time, etc.].

Answer 24

in four days’ time

Question 25

[during the week/month, etc. before the previous one]

Answer 25

the week before last

Question 26

[up until now] - dosiaľ, zatiaľ.

Answer 26

The course is fine SO FAR.

Question 27

[now, immediately; syns right away / straight away].

Answer 27

at once

Question 28

[every night; also day after day, etc.].

Answer 28

night after night

Question 29

[occasionally; syns now and then].

Answer 29

now and again

Question 30

[a few]

Answer 30

one or two

Question 31

[a calm situation without noise]

Answer 31

peace and quiet

Question 32

[first in one direction, then the other]

Answer 32

up and down

Question 33

[a few times]

Answer 33

once or twice

Question 34

[I don’t know when, but I’ll finish it, etc.]

Answer 34

sooner or later

Question 35

[together with other similar things]

Answer 35

and so on

Question 36

[usually, or in most situations; syn on the whole]

Answer 36

In general

Question 37

[for example]

Answer 37

For instance

Question 38

(used to introduce a new subject to the conversation)

Answer 38

By the way

Question 39

(used to say what you really think)

Answer 39

To be honest