When Jane told me what a great guy you
are, I couldn't resist. If anyone else had suggested a blind date, I wouldn't
have even toyed with the idea.
* toy
with an/the idea: to consider something
ex> I wouldn't toy with an idea
that didn't pass my four main criteria.
Same here. I really trust Jane’s
instincts, so when she said, and I quote, “Sandy’s a beautiful person you have
got to get to know,” I agreed to meet you.
Not even so much as a hint. Why don’t you go first and tell me what you do
for a living.
* so
much as: even
ex> Without so much as a
warning, the tornado touched down on the small Illinois town and tore it apart.
Well, let me preface this by saying that I’m the fourth generation in my
family doing this job. Ready? I’m a firefighter. Just like my father,
grandfather, and great-great uncle.
* let
me preface this by saying: let me give some background information for what
I will tell you next.
ex> Let me preface this by saying,
the company didn't expect to encounter so many difficulties in the market this
year.
ex> I must first preface this by
telling you that we believe the cause of the building’s collapse was not
related to the minor earthquake that struck yesterday.
Wow! You could’ve knocked me down with a feather! I've never met a fire…
lady? Firewoman? What’s the right term?
* you
could have knocked me down with a feather: you have shocked me
ex> When you told me that you were
pregnant, you could have knocked me down with a feather.
I’ve
got to hand it to Jane, she really knows how to set up an interesting
evening without even showing up!
* I've got to hand it to someone: I must give someone credit or congratulations
ex> I've got to hand it to you,
these muffins are the best I’ve ever tasted.
