* 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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