Conversational American English Expressions: Basic Social Encounters, Greetings, Small Talk, Introductions, Ending a Conversation, Good-Byes, Agreeing, Disagreeing, Conversational Encounters, Focusing Attention, Launching the Conversation, Making Friends, Complex Matters, Disputes, Discussion and Resolution, Polite Encounters, Prefaces, Communication Barriers, Telling Time, General Pleasantries, Business Pleasantries, Apologizing and Taking Responsibility ....
2 General greetings
How are you?
How’s it going?
How’s it been?
How is everything?
How’s everything?
How have you been?
How’ve you been?
How you been? (informal) How’s tricks? (informal) What have you been up to? What’s new? (informal) What’s up? (informal) Wusup? / Wassup? (slang)
What’s happening? (slang) What’s going on? (slang)
3 Greetings for various times of the day
Good morning.
Morning.
Mornin’. (informal)
How are you this bright morning? Good afternoon.
Afternoon.
Good evening.
Evening.
4 Greeting a person you haven’t seen in a long time
I haven’t seen you in years!
Long time no see! (informal) I haven’t seen you in an age!
I haven’t seen you in a month of Sundays!
a month of Sundays = a long time
5 Welcoming someone who has returned
Welcome back! Welcome back, stranger!
Long time no see! (cliché) Where were you? Where have you been?
Where did you go?
6 Expressing surprise at meeting someone
What a surprise to meet you here!
Imagine meeting you here! (cliché) Fancy meeting you here. (cliché) Never thought I’d see you here!
What are you doing in this neck of the woods?
neck of the woods = part of town, location
What are you doing in this part of town? What are you doing out of the office?
Where’ve you been hiding yourself? What have you been up to?
Shouldn’t you be in school? Shouldn’t you be at work? Have you been keeping busy? You been keeping busy?
Been keeping busy?
7 After you have greeted someone
We seem to keep running into each other. Haven’t we met before?
We have to stop meeting like this. (cliché) Didn’t we meet at that party last week?
I’m sorry; I’ve forgotten your name. I’ve been meaning to call you.
8 Concerning a journey or vacation
How was it? How did it go?
Did everything go OK?
Did you have fun?
You’ll have to tell us all about it. Did you take any pictures?
Do you have pictures? Were the locals friendly? Were the natives friendly? Did you bring me anything? We missed you.
We missed you around here. We’ve missed you around here.
It just wasn’t the same without you.
Small Talk
9 Expressing your state of health and happiness
Fine.
I’m fine.
I’m cool. (slang) Keeping cool.
Dandy. (informal) Fine and dandy.
Great.
Couldn’t be better.
Happy as a clam. (cliché) Okay. All right.
(I) can’t complain.
No complaints.
I have nothing to complain about.
10 Telling how you have been doing—positive
Keeping busy.
Keeping myself busy. Been keeping myself busy. Keeping out of trouble.
Been keeping out of trouble.
Been up to no good. (informal) Been keeping my nose clean. (informal)
11 Telling how you have been doing—neutral
Getting by.
Been getting by.
Fair to middling. (folksy) So-so. (informal) Plugging along. (informal) Could be worse. Could be better.
(Just) muddling through. Same as always.
Same as usual.
Same o(l)’ same o(l)’ (informal)
12 Telling how you have been doing—negative
Not good.
Not so good.
Not too good.
None too good.
Not well.
Not very well. Not so well.
Not too well. None too well. Not so hot.
Not too hot. None too hot. Not great.
Not so great. None too great. Crummy. (slang)
Kind of crummy. (slang) Lousy. (slang)
I’ve seen better days. I’ve had better days. Could be better.
I’ve been better.
I’ve been under the weather.
13 Explaining that you have been busy
I’m busy.
Keeping busy.
Keeping myself busy. Been keeping myself busy. I’m swamped.
swamped = overwhelmed, as with a swamped boat
I’m snowed under.
snowed under = as if buried in snow
I don’t have time to breathe. I don’t have time to think.
There aren’t enough hours in the day. Not a moment to spare.
I’ve been running around with my head cut off. (informal) I’ve been running around like a chicken with its head cut off.
(informal)
14 Inviting a friend for a drink or coffee
Do you have time for coffee? How about a cup of coffee?
Let’s go get coffee. Do you have any time? Let’s go for coffee.
Let’s go for a beer.
Let’s go for a drink.
Introductions
15 Introducing someone to someone else
I’d like you to meet my friend Mary. I’d like you to meet Mary.
This is my friend Mary.
John, (this is) Mary. Mary, John. Mary, have you met John?
Mary, do you know John?
Mary, shake hands with John Jones. Do you two know each other?
Have you met?
Have you two been introduced? Haven’t you been introduced?
Oh, I’m sorry; how silly of me. This is Mary.
Mary, John is the guy I was telling you about. (informal) You two have a lot in common.
16 When you have just been introduced to someone
Good to meet you.
Nice to meet you.
Nice meeting you.
How nice to meet you. (formal) How very nice to meet you. (formal) What a pleasure to meet you. (formal) It’s a pleasure to have finally met you. (formal) I am pleased to make your acquaintance. (formal) I’m happy tomeet you.
I’m glad to meet you.
Glad to meet you.
Charmed. (formal)
A pleasure. (formal)
17 After you have been introduced to someone
I’ve been wanting to meet you for some time. John has told me all about you.
John has told me so much about you. I’ve heard so much about you.
I’ve heard so much about you I feel I know you already. So we finally meet face to face.
We’ve exchanged e-mails; it’s nice to meet in person. I’m sorry, what was your name again?
I didn’t catch your name. I’m terrible at names.
18 Asking how someone is
How are you?
How’s your family?
How’s the family?
How are you doing?
How are you doing today? How you doing?
Are you doing OK? How are you feeling? How you feeling?
Are you feeling better today? How have you been?
How you been?
19 Asking someone how things are going
How’re things?
How’re things with you? How’re things going?
How’s with you? How’s by you? (slang) How’s business?
How’s tricks? (slang)
How’s it shakin’? (slang) How’s everything?
How’s every little thing? (folksy) How’s everything going?
How’s it going?
How goes it?
How goes it with you? How are you getting on? How are you getting along?
How’s the world (been) treating you?
Ending a Conversation
20 Signaling the end of a conversation
Oh, look at the time! It’s getting later.
Well, David, it’s really good to see you, but I really must go. It’s been fun talking to you.
(It’s been) nice chatting with you. It’s so good to see you again.
We have to make plans to get together some time. Let’s do lunch sometime.
21 Ending a telephone conversation
I really have to go now. We’ll talk sometime.
There’s someone on the other line. I must say good-bye now. The doorbell is ringing. I’ll call you back.
Can I call you back? Something has come up.
I have to get back to my work. I’ll call again later. Can we continue this later? My other line is ringing. I have to get back to work before the boss sees me. I won’t keep you any longer.
I’ll let you go now.
22 Ending a conversation abruptly
I’m going to have to run. Must run. (informal)
I’m all out of time. I’ll have to say good-bye now. Look at the time. I really must go.
It’s been great talking to you, but I have to go. Wow! I’m late. Look, I’ll call you.
Sorry, but I have to leave now.
Let’s continue this another time. I really must go.
Good-Byes
23 Simple good-byes
Good-bye.
Bye.
Bye-bye.
So long.
Ta-ta. (informal) Farewell.
Cheerio.
Hasta la vista. (Spanish)
Adios. (Spanish)
Auf wiedersehen. (German) Sayonara. (Japanese) Arrivederci. (Italian)
Au revoir. (French) Adieu. (French) Ciao. (Italian) Good day. (formal)
Good evening. (formal) Good night.
Good-bye until later. Good-bye until next time. Good-bye for now.
See you later.
See you later, alligator. (slang) Later, gator. (slang) Later. (informal)
I’ll try to catch you later. I’ll catch you later.
Catch you later.
I’ll talk to you soon. Let’s get together soon. I’ll be seeing you.
I’ll see you real soon. See you.
See ya. (informal) See you soon.
See you real soon.
See you around.
See you in a little while. See you next year.
See you then.
See you tomorrow.
24 Taking leave of someone
Good running into you.
running into you = meeting up with you
Nice running into you. Nice talking to you.
Take care.
(It was) good to see you. (It was) nice to see you. Nice meeting you.
It was a pleasure meeting you. (formal) It is a pleasure to have met you. (formal) It’s been a real pleasure. (formal)
25 Leaving a place
Are we ready to leave? Are you about finished? Are you ready to go?
Ready to go?
Ready to roll? (slang) Are we away? (slang) Let’s blow. (slang)
blow = leave
Let’s get out of this taco stand. (slang) taco stand = a cheap place; an undesirable place
Let’s blow this joint. (slang) = Let’s leave this place.
Let’s go while the going’s good. (cliché) Let’s = Time to, We’ve got to
Let’s get while the getting’s good. (cliché) Let’s head out.
Let’s beat a hasty retreat. (cliché) Let’s make tracks. (informal) make tracks = leave a trail (as we go)
Let’s motor. (slang) to motor = to leave by automobile
Let’s hit the road. (slang) Let’s boogie. (slang) Let’s split. (slang)
Let’s make like a tree and leave. (jocular) Let’s make like the wind and blow. (jocular) Let’s make like a banana and split. (jocular) Exit stage right.
Exit stage left. Retreat! (slang)
26 When someone is leaving on a journey
Bon voyage!
Have a good trip!
Have a nice flight.
Have a nice trip. Have a safe trip. Have a safe journey. Drive carefully.
Take care of yourself. Take care.
We’ll miss you.
All the best.
27 Making plans to keep in touch with someone
I’ll call you when I get home. Call when you get there.
Don’t forget to call. Write me.
Let’s write.
You’ve got my e-mail address? Text me.
I’m on Facebook.
Facebook = Twitter, MySpace, LinkedIn, etc.
Let’s do lunch.
I’ll be in touch.
Let’s keep in touch.
Agreeing
28 Simple agreement
Yes.
Yeah. (informal)
Yep. (informal)
Yup. (informal) Right.
You’re right.
Right you are.
Right on!
Right-o.
Uh-huh.
Sure.
Sure thing.
You got it.
You bet.
Absolutely.
By all means.
29 Stating your concurrence
This is true.
That’s true.
You’re right.
Ain’t that the truth?
Ain’t it the truth?
That’s right.
That’s for certain.
That’s for sure.
That’s for darn sure.
That’s for damn sure. (mildly vulgar) Damn straight! (mildly vulgar) It works for me.
Well said.
I agree.
I agree with you 100 percent.
I couldn’t agree with you more.
I have no problem with that.
We see eye to eye on this.
I couldn’t have said it better.
You took the words right out of my mouth.
I’ll drink to that!
30 Expressing acceptance
It’s fine.
I think it’s fine.
It’s good enough.
It’s satisfactory.
It’ll do.
It’ll serve the purpose.
I like it.
I love it.
I think it’s great.
I like the color.
I like the texture.
I like the flavor.
It’s got a good rhythm.
It’s wonderful.
It’s fabulous.
It’s ideal.
It’s a masterpiece.
It’s perfect.
It’s A-1.
This is second to none.
This is perfect.
This is far and away the best.
This is the ultimate.
It couldn’t be better.
Never been better.
There’s none better.
It doesn’t get any better than this.
I’ve never seen anything like it.
This is the cream of the crop. (cliché) This is the pick of the litter. (idiomatic)
litter = a group of newborn pups
This is the crême de la crême. (cliché) = This is the best of the best.
This is head and shoulders above the rest.
That suits me to a T.
= That suits me fine.
That’s the ticket. (idiomatic) That’s just what the doctor ordered. (idiomatic) That’s just what I needed.
That hits the spot. (idiomatic) That fits the bill. (idiomatic) That’s it.
That’s the greatest thing since sliced bread. (cliché) It’s in a league of its own.
I give it four stars.
It gets two thumbs up. (idiomatic) I’ve hit the jackpot.
jackpot = sum of money to be won in gambling
Bingo! (slang)
= I did it!
Jackpot! (slang)
= I did it!; It is good!
Bull’s-eye! (slang) Bonus score! (slang)
31 Stating that you understand
I hear you.
I hear you, man.
I hear what you’re saying.
I see what you’re saying.
I can see what you’re saying.
I can see that.
I see what you mean.
I see where you’re coming from.
I know.
I know what you mean.
Point well taken.
I know what you’re talking about.
I understand what you’re saying.
Understood.
I dig it. (slang)
I can dig it. (slang)
I got you.
Gotcha.
(I) got it.
I follow you.
I’m with you.
I’m there with you.
I’ve been there.
Read you loud and clear.
Roger.
Roger, wilco.
wilco = will comply
Roger Dodger. (slang)
32 Making sure you are understood
Do you know what I mean?
Do you know what I’m talking about?
Know what I mean?
Does that make any sense?
Am I making sense?
Are you following me?
Know what I’m saying?
You know?
Do you see what I mean?
See what I mean?
Don’t you see?
Do you get the message?
Do you get the picture?
Get the message?
Get the picture?
Get my drift?
Do you get it?
Get it?
Do you follow?
Do you follow me?
Dig? (slang)
= Do you understand?
Understand?
Do you understand?
Do you hear what I’m saying?
Do you hear me?
Do you see where I’m coming from?
where I’m coming from = what my position is
Do you agree?
You’re with me, right?
Are you with me on this?
Do we see eye to eye on this?
Disagreeing
33 Stating simple disagreement or refusal
No.
Nope.
No way.
Not a chance.
Not! (slang)
Uh-uh.
I don’t think so.
34 Stating categorical disagreement
That’s not true.
That’s not right.
You’ve got that wrong.
You’ve got it all wrong.
Wrong!
You missed the boat. (idiomatic) You’re missing the boat. (idiomatic) Wrong on both counts.
You’re wrong.
You’re dead wrong.
You’re off.
You’re way off base.
35 Stating strong disagreement
I disagree completely.
I couldn’t disagree (with you) more.
Horsefeathers! (slang)
Bullshit. (taboo)
That’s BS. (mildly vulgar) Bull. (mildly vulgar)
Baloney. (slang)
That’s a load of crap. (mildly vulgar) That’s a lot of bull. (mildly vulgar) That’s a lot of baloney. (slang) That’s a bunch of baloney. (slang) That’s a bunch of malarkey. (slang) Lies!
That’s a lie.
That’s a big, fat lie. (informal) You’re lying through your teeth.
Look me in the eye and say that.
36 Stating your disagreement with a proposition
That’s out of the question.
That’s unthinkable.
That’s insane.
That doesn’t even merit a response.
I’ll give that all the consideration it’s due.
37 Expressing rejection
I can’t stand it.
I hate it.
I don’t care for it.
I don’t like it.
It’s not my style.
It’s not for me.
It stinks. (informal)
It sucks. (mildly vulgar) It reeks. (informal)
My kid could do that.
It’s awful.
It’s terrible.
It’s ugly.
It’s hideous.
It’s dreadful.
It’s hell on earth. (informal) I don’t get it.
Don’t quit your day job.
38 Expressing refusal
No.
Nope. (informal)
No way.
No way, José. (informal)
No can do. (informal)
No, sir.
No sirree. (folksy)
No sirree, Bob. (folksy)
Sorry.
Nothing doing.
You’re out of luck.
In a pig’s eye. (idiomatic) When pigs fly. (idiomatic) When hell freezes over. (informal) There isn’t a snowball’s chance in hell. (informal) Not a chance.
No chance.
Not if I can help it.
Not likely.
Not bloody likely. (mildly vulgar) Absolutely not!
It will be a cold day in hell before I do that. (informal) Only in your dreams.
Dream on.
Save your breath.
Save it.
You’re barking up the wrong tree. (idiomatic) Over my dead body. (idiomatic) Forget it.
If you think that, you’ve got another think coming.
Not in a million years.
Not for a million dollars.
You couldn’t pay me to do it.
Not in your wildest dreams.
You wish.
I’ll be damned first. (mildly vulgar) I’ll be damned if I do. (mildly vulgar) Damned if I will. (mildly vulgar) Like hell. (mildly vulgar) I’ll see you in hell first. (mildly vulgar)
39 Stating that someone is wrong
What are you talking about?
You don’t know what you’re talking about.
You don’t have a leg to stand on.
You haven’t got a leg to stand on.
You don’t know the first thing about it.
You’re really stretching the truth.
You’re way off base.
You can lay that notion to rest.
40 Arguing about the facts
You’ve got it all wrong.
You’ve got the facts wrong.
You’ve got your facts wrong.
You haven’t got the facts.
You haven’t got the facts right.
I don’t think you’ve got your facts straight.
Don’t speak until you’ve got your facts straight.
Next time get the facts straight. (informal) Next time get the facts first. (informal) Don’t jump to conclusions.
42 Getting someone to listen to you
Look here. (informal)
Listen here. (informal)
Listen up. (informal)
Get a load of this. (informal) Now hear this! (informal) Hear me out.
Are you ready for this? (informal) Listen. (informal)
Are you listening to me?
Are you paying attention?
I’m talking to you.
Do you hear me?
Do I have your ear? (idiomatic) Can I bend your ear a minute? (idiomatic) Am I making myself heard?
43 Directing attention to an object
Look at this.
Take a look at this.
Get a load of this.
Take a gander at that. (informal) a gander = a look
Feast your eyes on this.
Look what we have here.
Lookie here. (informal)
Lookit. (slang)
Look here.
Can you eyeball this (for a minute)? (slang) to eyeball = to look at
Can you believe your eyes?
I don’t believe my eyes.
Do my eyes deceive me?
That’s a sight for sore eyes.
44 Confirming that you are paying attention
I hear you.
I heard you.
I’m listening.
I’m still here.
I’m all ears.
Launching the Conversation
45 Starting an informal conversation
Guess what?
Have you heard the latest?
Have you heard?
Did you hear what happened?
Did you hear the news?
Did you get the scoop? (informal) the scoop = the most recent news
You’ll never guess what I heard.
You’ll never guess what I read online.
Guess what I just saw online.
Guess what I just found out.
You won’t believe this.
You won’t believe what Bill just told me.
Get a load of this. (informal) a load = a sampling
Get this. (informal)
Dig this. (slang)
to dig = to understand
46 Inviting someone to talk
You got a minute?
Got a minute?
I need to talk.
Can we talk?
Can I talk to you?
May I have a word with you? (formal) Let’s talk.
Let’s chew the fat. (slang) Let’s shoot the breeze. (slang)
47 Coming to the point of the matter
May I be frank?
Let me be perfectly clear.
Make no bones about it. (idiomatic) = Do not make any bones of contention about this.
Read my lips. (informal)
= Pay close attention to what I am saying.
(To a make a) long story short. (cliché) Let’s call a spade a spade. (cliché) Let me spell it out for you.
Here’s the bottom line.
the bottom line = the summation; the final and major point
48 Requesting that the speaker get to the point
What’s your point?
What’s the point?
What’s the upshot?
the upshot = the result
What’s the bottom line?
the bottom line = the summation; the final and major point
What are you trying to say?
What are you trying to tell me?
Get to the point.
Get to the heart of the matter.
Cut to the chase. (idiomatic) = Switch to the focal point of something.
49 Various conversational phrases
If I may.
= If I may interrupt.; If I may add some information.
Pardon my French.
= Pardon my use of vulgar words.
No pun intended.
= I intended to make no joke or play on words.
If you know what I mean.
= I assume you understand what I mean.
Know what I mean? (informal) = Do you understand what I am saying?
You know what I’m saying?
= Do you understand what I am saying?
You know?
= Do you understand what I am saying?
Right?
= Is that not so?
OK?
= Is that not so?
50 Encouraging someone to speak plainly
Enough already. (informal) Out with it! (informal)
= Say it!; Speak out!
Don’t mince words.
to mince = to cut up or disguise
Spare (me) nothing.
Lay it on the line. (informal) Tell it to me like a man. (informal) Give it to me straight. (informal) straight = unadorned
Give it to me in plain English.
plain English = simple and direct terms
Don’t beat around the bush. (idiomatic) Stop beating around the bush.
(idiomatic) Stop circumventing the issue.
Put your cards on the table. (idiomatic) Stop speaking in circles.
What does that mean in English? (informal) Cut the crap. (mildly vulgar) crap
= dung = needless talk
51 Noting digressions in a conversation
That’s beside the point.
That’s beside the question.
That’s not at issue.
That’s not the issue.
That’s irrelevant.
That has nothing to do with it.
That has nothing to do with what I’m talking about.
That’s another story.
That’s a whole ‘nother story. (folksy) That’s a different ball of wax. (idiomatic)
ball of wax = thing; matter
That’s a different kettle of fish. (idiomatic) kettle of fish = thing; matter
That’s another can of worms. (idiomatic) can of worms = set of problems
That’s a horse of a different color. (idiomatic) a horse of a different color = a
different kind of problem altogether
You’re off on a tangent.
You’re getting off the subject.
As you were saying . . .
Getting back to the point . . .
But I digress. (formal)
52 Repeating what you have said
Let me repeat myself.
Allow me to repeat myself. (formal) At the risk of repeating myself . . .
As I’ve said . . .
As I am fond of saying . . .
To reiterate . . .
To repeat . . .
How many times do I have to tell you?
If I’ve told you once, I’ve told you a thousand times. (cliché) If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a million times. (cliché)
53 When someone is being repetitious
So you said.
Stop beating a dead horse.
beating a dead horse = continuing to argue a point that has been won
Stop harping on that subject.
harping on = dwelling on; talking about
You sound like a broken record. (idiomatic) broken record = a grooved LP album with a scratch that makes the same track repeat endlessly
Must you belabor the point?
All right, already.
We get the point, already.
We heard you, already.
54 Agreeing with a speaker
So it seems.
So it would seem.
Or so it would appear.
As it were.
So to speak.
In a manner of speaking.
55 Answers to “How did you find out?”
I heard it through the grapevine.
the grapevine = a chain of rumors
I heard it on the grapevine.
A little bird told me. (cliché) I have my sources.
I got it straight from the horse’s mouth. (idiomatic) from the horse’s mouth = from the source
It’s common knowledge.
We live in a fishbowl. (informal) = We are completely on display.; We are openly visible to everyone.
Word travels fast. (cliché) News travels fast. (cliché) Bad news travels fast. (cliché) None of your business. (informal) Just never (you) mind.
We have our ways (of finding these things out). (jocular) I plead the fifth. (informal) I’m taking the fifth. (informal) the fifth = the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which protects against self-incrimination
I’m not one to kiss and tell. (cliché) to kiss and tell = to do something secret and tell everyone about it
Making Friends
56 Expressing friendship
We’re very close.
We’re the closest of friends.
We’re the best of friends.
We’re best friends.
We’re pretty tight.
They’re bosom buddies.
She’s my best friend.
She’s my closest friend.
She’s a dear friend.
She’s like a sister to me.
He’s like the brother I never had.
We’re like brothers.
57 Commenting on the uniqueness of someone
He’s one of a kind.
Sue’s one of a kind.
What a character!
They don’t make them like him anymore. (cliché) After they made him, they broke the mold. (cliché)
58 Commenting on personal similarities
We’re two of a kind.
They’re two of a kind.
We’re cut from the same cloth.
We’re made from the same mold.
We’re birds of a feather. (cliché) We’re like two peas in a pod.
59 Expressions used to make friends at a bar or café
May I join you?
Is this stool taken?
Is this seat taken?
Do you care if I join you?
Care if I join you?
Do you mind if I join you?
Mind if I join you?
Care to join us?
Can I buy you a drink?
Could I buy you a drink?
Could I get you something to drink?
What are you drinking?
Do you know who does this song?
does = sings
Would you like to play darts?
Let’s play pool.
pool = billiards
60 Inviting someone to dance
Care to dance?
Would you like to dance?
You want to dance? (informal) Could I have the next dance?
May I have the next dance? (formal)
61 Approaching the opposite sex
That’s a pretty outfit. (male to female) That’s a pretty dress. (male to female) What’s shaking? (slang)
shaking = happening
Don’t I know you from somewhere?
Didn’t we go to high school together?
Haven’t I seen you here before?
Do you come here often?
What’s a nice girl like you doing in a place like this? (male to female, cliché) Do you have a smoke?
a smoke = a cigarette
Do you have a light?
a light = a match or cigarette lighter
Do you have a cigarette?
Do you have change for the cigarette machine?
Would you like to go somewhere quieter?
Are you going my way?
Going my way? (cliché)
Could I give you a lift? a lift = a ride
Need a lift?
Where have you been keeping yourself?
Where have you been all my life? (cliché)
62 Asking someone for a date
Are you free Saturday evening?
Are you free Saturday night?
Are you busy on the 15th?
What are you up to this weekend?
What are you doing next weekend?
Would you like to go to dinner?
Would you like to go out to dinner with me?
I was wondering if you’d like to go out.
I was wondering if you’d like to see a movie.
If you’re not doing anything, would you like to go to a party with me?
If you don’t have other plans, would you like to go dancing?
63 Turning someone down
I’m not interested.
I’m seeing someone else.
I have other plans.
I’ve got something going on.
Something suddenly came up.
I have to wash my hair.
My calendar is full.
You’re not my type.
Not if you were the last man on earth. (rude) You must be joking. (rude) I don’t feel up to it.
I have a headache.
Please. (with a disgusted tone of voice)
64 Bringing a conversation to an end
Let’s call it a day.
Let’s call it a night.
Let’s call it quits.
= Let’s quit (and leave).
Let’s get out of here.
Let’s get going.
Let’s go.
We should be on our way.
Let’s bid our farewell. (formal) Let’s say our good-byes. (formal)