Common American Phrases in Everyday Contexts (7 page)

Any friend of
someone('s)
(is a friend of mine)
.
I am pleased to meet a friend of the person named. (Said when meeting or being introduced to a friend of a friend.)
F
RED
: Well, nice to meet you Tom. Any friend of my brother is a friend of mine. T
OM
: Thanks, Fred. Nice to meet you too.
J
OHN
: Thank you so much for helping me. S
ALLY
: You're welcome. Any friend of Sue's.

Anybody I know?
Go to Anyone I know?

anyhow
Go to anyway.

Anyone I know?
AND
Anybody I know?
a coy way of asking who someone is.
S
ALLY
: Where were you last night? J
ANE
: I had a date. S
ALLY
: Anyone I know?
B
ILL
: I've got a date for the formal next month. H
ENRY
: Anybody I know?

Anything else?
Go to (Will there be) anything else?

Anything going on?
Go to (Is) anything going on?

Anything new down your way?
Has any interesting event happened where you live? (Rural and familiar.)
B
ILL
: Anything new down your way? B
OB
: Nothing worth talking about.
M
ARY
: Hi, Sally. Anything new down your way? S
ALLY
: No, what's new with you? M
ARY
: Nothing.

Anything you say
.
Yes.; I agree.
M
ARY
: Will you please take this over to the cleaners? B
ILL
: Sure, anything you say.
S
ALLY
: You're going to finish this before you leave tonight, aren't you? M
ARY
: Anything you say.

Anytime. 1
.
an indication that one is available to be called upon, visited, or invited at any time in the future.
M
ARY
: I'm so glad you invited me for tea. J
ANE
: Anytime. Delighted to have you.
S
ALLY
: We really enjoyed our visit. Hope to see you again. B
ILL
: Anytime. Please feel free to come back
.
2
.
a polite but casual way of saying You're welcome.
M
ARY
: Thanks for driving me home. B
OB
: Anytime.
S
ALLY
: We were grateful for your help after the fire last week. J
ANE
: Anytime.