* 12 Stress, Anxiety, Excitement (p.9 of 9)
12.38 When you are surprised with something
Who would have thought! Listen A “I couldn’t have imagined it would happen!” (used with would or could) <“So, the long-bearded man was the one who did it? Who would have thought!”>
I never would have guessed. Listen A “I never would have thought it to be so.” <“So, all that time she wanted to marry her gardener? I never would have guessed.”>
Never in a million years could I have imagined that. Listen <“Alice joined the Red Cross and went to the disaster area.” – “Never in a million years could I have imagined that.”>
I was caught unaware. Listen <“His move was unexpected. I was caught unaware.”>
I had no idea. Listen <“Did he want this job? I had no idea.”>
It appeared out of nowhere. Listen A “It came unexpectedly with no warning.” <“I’ve got a new problem. It appeared out of nowhere. There was no way I could possibly foresee it.”>
It came from nowhere. Listen <“A new trouble smashed me. It came from nowhere.”>
It came from out of the blue. Listen <“I didn’t see the car that caused the accident. It came from out of the blue.”>
It was completely out of the blue. Listen <“Nobody expected the market to drop so low in one day. It was completely out of the blue.”>
It was a bolt from the blue. Listen <“My uncle sold his century-old business. It was a bolt from the blue.”>
It dropped like a bomb. Listen <“The Countess eloped with her gardener. The news shocked the noble family. It dropped like a bomb.”>
It was the shock of my life. Listen <“The murderer was set free after serving only a few years in prison. They said there was some clerical error on his file. It was the shock of my life.”>
It was the last thing I expected. Listen <“I thought he would ask me out for dinner or something. He invited me to a zoo. It was the last thing I expected.>
It threw me for a loop. Listen A “My mind started making circles. It confused and shocked me.” <“When I learned that my own child had stolen money, it threw me for a loop.”>
You took me by surprise. Listen A “I didn’t expect your action.” <“Oh, you took me by surprise. I didn’t hear you entering the room.”>
Just like that. Listen A “Without a warning.” <“And then she slapped me in the face. Just like that!”>
12.39 When you are somewhat disappointed with a failure
You can’t win them all. Listen A “It is impossible to win every time, but an occasional loss doesn’t discourage me.” (Here you may be impersonal and mean one) <“Unfortunately, I couldn’t win this contract. Oh, well. You can’t win them all. It’s not the end of the world, though.”>
You win some, you lose some. Listen A “Sometimes you win, sometimes you fail.” (Here you may be impersonal and mean one) <“I’m sorry to hear that you lost your case in court.” – “You win some, you lose some. That’s the way it goes.”>
Win a few, lose a few. Listen <“Today the stock market lost yesterday’s gains.” – “That’s the way the cookie crumbles. Win a few, lose a few.”>
12.40 When an event you expected is happening
I expected it. Listen A “I thought it would be this way.” <“It’s raining, isn’t it? I expected it.”>
It’s just as I expected. Listen <“The market is falling now. It’s just as I expected.”>
I knew it was coming. Listen A “I knew it was on its way.” <“A new disaster? I knew it was coming.”>
I knew it would happen. Listen <“The war has finally broke out. I knew it would happen.”>
I’m not surprised. Listen A “What is happening is not surprising to me.” <“Well, we lost the game. I’m not surprised. I knew we weren’t prepared.”>
It came as no surprise. Listen <“My rose bush died. It came as no surprise. The gardener overwatered it.”>
It’s no surprise to me. Listen <“So, this politician is lying through his teeth? It’s no surprise to me.”>
No wonder it’s happening. Listen A “It’s not surprising that it’s happening.” <“Gold is growing in price again. No wonder it’s happening. People don’t trust paper currency.”>
12.41 When you expect something to happen
I have a good feeling about it. Listen A “I have a premonition that something good should happen.” <“Our team is going to win the championship. I have a good feeling about it.”>
I get the feeling something’s going to happen. Listen A “I have a premonition that something should happen.” <“It’s been suspiciously quiet recently. I get the feeling something’s going to happen.”>
I have a feeling. Listen A “I have a feeling that something should happen although I don’t have proof.” <“Something awful is going to happen. I have a feeling.”>
I just have this feeling. Listen <“He isn’t going to stay with us for a long time. I just have this feeling.”>
I can feel it in my bones. Listen <“Something is going wrong. I can feel it in my bones.”>
I have a hunch. Listen A “I have a feeling that something should happen.” <“When we arrive, they will be waiting for us at the airport. I have a hunch.”>
I just know. Listen <“This is going to happen. How do I know it? I just know.”>
I can sense it. Listen <“She is not telling us the entire truth. I can sense it.”>
My sixth sense tells me. Listen <“This time we will be successful. My sixth sense tells me.”>
My gut feeling tells me. Listen <“They’re going to deceive us. My gut feeling tells me.”>
I feel it in the air. Listen <“We’re going to win this game. I feel it in the air.”>
You just watch. Listen A “I made a prediction, so you just pay attention to what is happening.” <“Our team has started losing. It’s about time to put Mike Smith in the game. The coach will give him a command. You just watch.”>
You just wait and see. Listen <“We’ll get out of this unfortunate situation. You just wait and see.”>
Something’s got to give. Listen A “The situation is tense and can explode any minute.” <“Things are getting complicated in our company. The board and the president are in conflict. Something’s got to give.”>
12.42 When you hope something positive will happen
I hope so. Listen A “I hope it is so. I hope it is going to be so.” <“It looks like the worst is over.” – “I hope so.”>
I’m waiting with bated breath. Listen <“I’m going to win this contest.” – “I’m waiting with bated breath.”>
I’m crossing my fingers. Listen <“My new play should be successful.” – “I’m crossing my fingers.”>
My fingers are crossed. Listen <“The sportsman attempted to lift this heavy weight twice. This time he has got to do it.” – “My fingers are crossed.”>
God willing. Listen A “If God is willing it to happen, it will happen.” <“Are we going to be at the airport on time?” – “Yes, God willing.”>
We haven’t seen anything yet. Listen A “The main part has not taken place yet.” <“I liked the first act of the show very much.” – “I guess, it was just an introduction. This performance should be wonderful. We haven’t seen anything yet.”>
The best is yet to come. Listen A “The best part is still ahead.” <“You’re young. Your life has just begun. The best is yet to come.”>
12.43 When you believe an event is foretelling the future
It’s a sign of things to come. Listen <“We see more storms and earthquakes. It’s a sign of things to come.”>
It’s a harbinger of things to come. Listen <“The hurricane season has gotten longer. It’s a harbinger of things to come.”>
It’s a sign. Listen <“The President isn’t touching this topic in his speeches any more. It’s a sign. Domestic policies may change.”>
It’s a good sign. Listen <“Unemployment is going down. It’s a good sign. Hopefully, we are getting out of the recession.”>
It’s an omen. Listen <“Our team has lost the last game. It’s an omen. The coach will make some changes.”>
It’s a good omen. Listen <“Productivity is growing. It’s a good omen. Finally, economy is recovering.”>
The handwriting is on the wall. Listen A “There is a visible sign.” <“Our company is going to go out of business. The handwriting is on the wall.”>
A storm is brewing. Listen A “There is a sign of something bad.” <“The two countries are accusing each other in a breach of the peace treaty. A storm is brewing.”>
12.44 When you are concerned about the future
For better or for worse. Listen A “The outcome of this situation might be either positive or negative, but it doesn’t look too good.” <“The country has a new president, for better or for worse.”>
What’s going to happen to me? Listen <“I don’t have a permanent job. Nor do I have a steady income. What’s going to happen to me?” – “What do you think? Guess!”>
What about me? Listen A “What will happen to me? What is the plan with regards to me?” <“Sergeant McArthur! Sir! Private Smith was sent to the canteen. Private Brown was sent to the commissary. What about me, sir?” – “You, Private Johnson, will stay at this battle station and defend it.”>
12.45 When an event that might happen is undesirable
I hope not. Listen A “I hope the unfavorable event we are discussing won’t happen.” <“I am sneezing”. – “Are you getting sick?” – “I hope not. But I feel sort of under the weather.”>
Bite your tongue! Listen A “The unfavorable event we are discussing can happen, so you better stop talking about it.” <“We can be late for our flight.” – “Bite your tongue! We still have time.”>
God forbid. Listen A “The unfavorable event we are discussing can happen, so God better prevent it.” <“It looks like the stock market is going down again.” – “God forbid! Many stockholders can be hurt.”>
Not again! Listen A “I don’t want the same unfavorable event to happen again.” <“I can hear that our neighbors are quarreling.” – “Not again! They have little children.”>
12.46 When you retreated in a cowardly manner
I ran away with my tail between my legs. Listen A “I ran away like a frightened dog.” <“Then I saw a gang of teenagers. I ran away with my tail between my legs.”>
I gave up too easily. Listen A “I gave up without a fight.” <“I asked the girl out, and she refused. I was afraid to ask her again. I gave up too easily.”>
12.47 When you request compassion
Have a heart! Listen A “Please have compassion!” <“Why are you punishing me? I didn’t do anything wrong. Have a heart!”>
Have pity on me! Listen <“Please! Have pity on me! Let me go!”>
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