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Popular Expressions Used in the U.S. |
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x marks the spot: this is the place where you can find something. A: Where are we supposed to dig? B: Over there. X marks the spot. |
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you bet / you betcha: 1. yes; you’re right; absolutely. 2. you’re welcome (this expression has two different meanings depending on the situation). A: Thanks for helping me. B: You bet. (2) * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * A: Is Sarah really going to do what she said she would do? B: You betcha she is. (1) |
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you bet your life: you’re correct (this expression is very similar to "you bet.") A: Wow, she’s hot.* B: You bet your life she is. * hot: attractive; good-looking
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you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink: you can’t force a person (or an animal) to do something. |
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you can say that again: I agree with you; that’s correct. A: That jet is moving really fast. B: You can say that again. |
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you can’t make an omelet without breaking a few eggs: some things are going to go wrong, or mistakes will be made when you want to accomplish a goal. |
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you can’t take it with you: when you die, you can’t take your worldly possessions: money, jewelry, electronic stuff, etc. Some people try to spend every last dime before they die because you can’t take it with you. |
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you can’t win them all: you can’t win every single time there’s a competition; you can’t always expect success. Beverly was disappointed that she lost her tennis match, but you can’t win them all. |
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you get what you pay for: the amount of money that you pay for something often matches the thing or service that you receive. A: This vacuum cleaner doesn’t work. B: Well, you only paid about $30 for it. You get what you pay for. |
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you never can tell: it’s hard to predict the future; identifying something isn’t easy. When you go to a casino, you never can tell if you’re going to be lucky and win a lot of money or be unlucky and lose a lot of money. |
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you’re telling me: I agree with you. A: That’s a big fish! B: You’re telling me! |
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your guess is as good as mine: I’m not sure; I don’t know. A: What kind of a duck is that? B: I don’t know. You’re guess is as good as mine. |
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you said it: you’re right; I agree. A: He has a great hand! B: You said it! hand: cards (This is a word commonly used when playing poker. If you have a good hand, your cards are good.) |
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you scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours: if you help me, I’ll help you. |
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zero in on: to identify; to mark a point in the distance. Once he zeroed in on the enemy, he fired his weapon. |
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zoom in on someone or something: get closer, usually with a camera; look over there and try to get closer. Hey, zoom in on that girl in the blue shirt. She’s hot. |
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