Conversation

I couldn't help it !!! Daryl I am upset. Somebody told my boss I have a part-time job. Smith And he doesn't like that ? Daryl No, he doesn't. He thinks that I am too tired to work. Smith I am sorry. I have to admit I told him. Daryl You told him ? Why ? Smith I couldn't help it. He asked me point-blank. Explanation : If you can't help the way you feel or behave, you cannot control it or stop it from happening. You can also say that you can't help yourself. If you say something point-blank, you say it very directly or rudely, without explaining or apologizing. It is up to you !!! John Would you like to go out to dinner or to a movie ? Karen Either one, it is up to you . John What would you prefer ? Karen I really don't care, I just want to get out of the house. John Well, then how about dinner and a movie ? Karen That's a great idea ! Explanation : If you say that it is up to someone to do something, you mean that it is their responsibility to do it. Example : -  The choice was up to Paula. You can count on us !!! Stacey Sue, can you drive Jane and I to the doctor on Monday ? Sue I think so. Stacey We need a ride very badly, are you sure you will be able to help out ? Sue Sure. I will mark it on my calendar so I don't forget. Stacey Thanks you are a good friend. Sue You can always count on me when you need help. Explanation : If you count on someone or count upon them, you rely on them to support you or help you. Example : -  I can always count on you to cheer me up ......... . It's better than nothing!!! Jim Did you ask Mr. Davidson for a raise ? Carmen Yes, I asked for 80 cents any hour more. Jim Did you get it ? Carmen No, I got 30 cents Jim That's too bad. Carmen Oh, it is alright. It is better than nothing. Explanation : If you say that something is better than nothing, you mean that it is not what is required, but that it is better to have that thing than to have nothing at all. Example : - After all, 15 minutes of exercise is better than nothing. They've probably been held up by the traffic !!! Tom You're not looking too cheerful. Henry Well, I arranged with Bob and Chris to meet me here for a drink at seven o'clock. It's now a quarter to eight and neither of them has turned up. Tom I wouldn't give up hope. They've probably been held up by the traffic. It's been very heavy for the past hour. Henry Even so, they should have turned up by now. Tom Well, I'd give them another quarter of an hour or so. Henry OK, but after that I'm going home. Explanation : To hold somebody or something up means to delay somebody or something. Example : Traffic was held up for several hours by the accident. My luggage went astray !!! Maggie I had a terrible time on my last trip to Europe. Bernard Why, what happened ? Did you have an accident ? Maggie No, my luggage went astray. When I arrived in Paris and went to collect my case from the baggage carousel, it never arrived. Bernard What happened to it ? Had somebody collected it by mistake or stolen it ? Maggie No, it had been sent on to London by mistake. Bernard Did you get it back. Maggie Yes I did, but it took two whole days. I was absolutely furious. Explanation : If something goes astray, it gets lost while it is being taken or sent somewhere. Example : Many items of mail being sent to her have gone astray.   It doesn't make any difference !!! Mike Shall I pick you up at 5 or 6 ? Joei It doesn't make any difference. Mike O.K, I will pick you up at 5. Joei No problem ! Mike Shall we play badminton or table tennis on Sunday ? Joei It doesn't make any difference. Explanation : If something makes no difference, it does not have any effect on what you are doing. Example : - It is sad to see him go but it won't make any difference to the way we conduct our affairs. He kept changing channels on the remote !!! Sharon My mother got really annoyed with my father yesterday evening. Heather Why, did he complain about her cooking ? Sharon Oh no, she's a great cook. It was when they were watching television. Heather Don't tell me he fell asleep in front of the television and started snoring. Sharon No, he does that sometimes but this was because he kept changing channels on the remote. Heather All men do that, it's one of their most annoying habits. .