Ñèñòåìà Orphus

12                                             Everyday Conversational Expressions                           Stress, Anxiety, Excitement p.7

 

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* 12 Stress, Anxiety, Excitement (p.7 of 9)

 

12.27   When you want to make the best of a bad situation

 

Make the best of it.   Listen   A “Try to get the most in an unfavorable situation.”   <“It’s so hard to work at this company.” – “Make the best of it. Get experience and make useful contacts.”>

It’s the best I can do under the circumstances.   Listen   <My sister bandaged my wounded arm and said, “It’s the best I can do under the circumstances. I need to take you to a hospital.”>

I wish I could do more.   Listen   <“Well, we failed to repair my bicycle. Anyway, thank you for your help.” – “I wish I could do more. I wish I had my tools with me.”>

Something is better than nothing.   Listen   A “At least you got something.”   <“At least I made money on the deal. Something is better than nothing.”>

It’s for the best.   Listen   A “It is still more or less okay in spite of the way it looks.”   <“I didn’t buy the house I wanted.” – “It’s for the best. You couldn’t afford it anyway.”>

It’s all for the best.   Listen   <“So, your girlfriend dumped you? It’s all for the best. Now you can concentrate upon your study.”>

It was just one of those things.   Listen   A “It was just one of those unlucky, unavoidable events that in the end even turned out to play a positive role.”   <“My great-grandfather got seriously sick and missed his trip on a boat. No one was to blame, of course. It was just one of those things. The name of the boat was Titanic.”>

You need to count your blessings.   Listen   A “You need to be grateful for the small advantages you still have in your difficult situation.”   <“You got injured in the accident, but you are alive. You need to count your blessings.”>

Be thankful for small blessings.   Listen   <“The times are tough, but you can pay your bills. Be thankful for small blessings.”>

The important thing is that you learn from your mistakes.   Listen   <“I lost a lot of money trying to get out of that mess.” – “The important thing is that you learn from your mistakes. You will never get into such a mess again.”>

The important thing is that you are alive.   Listen   <“I got into a really bad accident. My car is a wreck.” – “The important thing is that you’re alive.”>

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12.28   When you cannot help in a situation

 

What am I supposed to do about it?   Listen   <“The car got stalled. Do something!” – “What am I supposed to do about it? I’m not a mechanic.”>

What do you want me to do about it?   Listen   <“Son, why don’t you get a job?” – “Mother, nobody wants to hire me. What do you want me to do about it?”>

What do you expect me to do in this situation?   Listen   <“Yes, dear, our son who is a college student wants to get married. And our daughter who is only nineteen is pregnant. What do you expect me to do in this situation?”>

What else can I do?   Listen   AIs there anything else I can do to help in this situation?”   <“Did you give the patient all the medicine prescribed?” – “Yes, I did. What else can I do?”>

There’s nothing I can do.   Listen   <“We’re losing money on this unwise investment.” – “There’s nothing I can do. Next time we have to think twice before investing.”>

This situation is beyond me.   Listen   <“Our company is going under. We lost competition. This situation is beyond me.”>

This situation is more than I can handle.   Listen   <“Can you call upon your friends in Washington? Without their political support we can lose local elections.” – “This situation is more than I can handle. Even support from Washington won’t bring us local votes.”>

I can’t help it.   Listen   A “Unfortunately, I can’t help in this situation.”   <“I wish your sister didn’t smoke.” – “I can’t help it. I wish she didn’t either.”>

It can’t be helped.   Listen   A “Unfortunately, nothing can help in this situation.”   <“My rose bush looks dead.” – “It can’t be helped. The current drought killed many plants in the garden.”>

I would if I could, but I can’t.   Listen   A “I want to help in this situation, but I can’t.”   <“We are losing this game. Can you do anything?” – “I would if I could, but I can’t. Our opponents are too strong.”>

My hands are tied.   Listen   AI am not free to act as I please.”   <“I’m sorry. This situation is more than I can handle. My hands are tied.”>

Listen to Entire Passage

 

 

12.29   When you don’t know what to say

 

I don’t know what to say.   Listen   A “I don’t have any idea what I can say.”   <“Why did you do such a silly thing?” – “I don’t know what to say.”>

I have nothing to say.   Listen   <“How could it happen? You were there. Tell me!” – “I have nothing to say.”>

I have nothing to add.   Listen   <“Why did you do such a dumb thing?” – “I just did. I have nothing to add.”>

I’m speechless.   Listen   A “I am so surprised I don’t know what to say.”   <“They abandoned attempts to find the lost crew.” – “I’m speechless. How can they do that?”>

I have no response.   Listen   <“Why has the commanding officer decided to abort the rescue mission?” – “I’m not fully aware of all the details. I have no response.”>

I’m lost for words.   Listen   A “I am so surprised I am unable to say anything.”   <“It all has happened so suddenly. I’m lost for words.”>

I’m at a loss for words.   Listen   <“Why is she so rude to me?” – “I don’t know. I’m at a loss for words.”>

What can I say?   Listen   A “I don’t have an explanation or excuse.”   <“Well, however awful, this is what happened. What can I say?”>

What can I tell you?   Listen   <“Do you remember any details of what happened that day? Do you have any recollections?” – “Please calm down. What can I tell you?”>

What do you want me to say?   Listen   <“How on Earth did you lose the car keys? We can’t get home now.” – “What do you want me to say? I’m sorry!”>

No comment.   Listen   A “I cannot comment on this subject.”   <“Did you smoke under the ‘No Smoke’ sign?” – “No comment.”>

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12.30   When you accept blame

 

I take the blame.   Listen   <“It is a bad investment. I take the blame.”>

I blame no one but myself.   Listen   <“I made a wrong decision. I blame no one but myself.”>

I take the responsibility.   Listen   <“It was my child who broke your window. I take the responsibility.”>

I take full responsibility.   Listen   <“My actions caused that accident. I take full responsibility.”>

I am fully responsible.   Listen   <“The right front tire blew up, and I lost control of my car. I am fully responsible for what happened afterwards.”>

I did it.   Listen   <“Do you remember when we were kids somebody broke a rosebush in front of our school, and then you found a rose bouquet on your doorsteps?” – “Hardly. Why?” – “I did it.”>

I’m the one you’re looking for.   Listen   <“Hey, guys. Somebody brought a box of mineral water instead of beer. We don’t have a drop of beer in the entire camp anymore.” – “I’m the one you’re looking for.”>

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