Webster's New World American Idioms Handbook (44 page)

it’s not a surprise; it’s not at all unexpected. Also sometimes said as
small wonder.
♦ No wonder
you’re so tired, you’ve been rehearsing for the play every day for a month.
♦
James: Ted says his kids aren’t getting any of his money when he dies. Felix: Well, it’s
no wonder.
They never call him or come to visit.
♦
Jan: Did you know that Joyce sold five of her paintings? Lynn: It’s
no wonder,
she’s an excellent artist.

there is nothing to worry about; don’t worry; it doesn’t cause problems ♦
There’s a lot of traffic, but
no worries;
we’ll get to the concert in plenty of time.
♦
Annie: Thanks so much for your help — I’m sorry to bother you. Jake:
No worries.
I’m happy to help.

without exception. Generally used with a superlative (the superlatives in the following sentences are in bold). ♦ Bar none,
that was the
worst
movie I’ve ever seen.
♦
She was
bar none
the
most
influential folk singer of the ’60s.

to not accept something; to disregard advice; to disallow or not permit something ♦
Her kids tried to blame the dog for the mess, but she would
have none of it. ♦
I warned him about investing his money in that company, but he would
have none of it.
Now he’s lost everything.

it doesn’t concern you; it’s private. Also sometimes said as
none of your concern
. Sometimes jokingly said as
none of your beeswax.
It is somewhat impolite. ♦
He wanted to know where I live, but I said
“None of your business!” ♦
I know it’s
none of my business,
but I’m curious to know what they were arguing about.

specifically the person or thing being discussed; often someone notable or of interest, but also said jokingly about a friend or one’s self ♦
Hey look! It’s
none other than
our old friend Jim.
♦
Guess who I saw at the event last night?
None other than
Faith Hill.

only the best. Usually said of people. Also sometimes said as
none but the brightest
or
the smartest.
♦ None but the
very
best
get into that university.
♦
They hire
none but the best
in genetic research.

unaware of something that is happening; unaware of something one should have learned ♦
He was stealing from the company, and his boss was
none the wiser. ♦
She seems to be
none the wiser
after her car accident; she’s still driving too fast.

None Too . . .

The words
none too
followed by an adjective mean not at all or not very, as in
none too happy, none too warm, none too friendly,
and so on.

• They were
  none too
  happy to see their son’s poor grades.
  
• It’s
  none too
  warm outside. You might want to take a coat.
  
• That dog is
  none too
  friendly. Don’t try to pet it.
  

None too
is also followed by some adverbs, for example,
none too soon, none too well,
and
none too happily.

• The ambulance came
  none too
  soon. He needed help fast.
  
• She’s been
  none too
  well in the past few months.
  
• He finally went in to clean his room, but
  none too
  happily.
  

still in good condition; not very worn or harmed after much use or abuse ♦
You seem to be
none the worse for wear
after that long flight.
♦
This comfy old chair has been in the family a long time, but it’s
none the worse for wear.

the best; not the second best ♦
My mom’s apple pies are
second to none. ♦
He’s won prizes for his hand-crafted furniture. His work is
second to none.

an expression of surprise that something has happened again; also said as a weary acceptance of a continuing problem or complaint ♦
Aaron: Mom, the dog got out of the yard. Mom:
Not again! ♦
When he told me about getting fired, I just said,
“Not again.”

not mentally present or competent; not having one’s wits or common sense ♦
Sometimes David seems
not all there,
but he’s a skilled worker.
♦
I don’t know how I burned this food. I’m just
not all there
these days.

no problem; it was no trouble at all. A somewhat formal response to a thank you. ♦
Ellen: Thank you for everything. Sue:
Not at all.
It was my pleasure.

okay or satisfactory (said with dropping intonation); pretty good or very good (said with raising intonation). This idiom is also used in the slang expressions
not half bad
and
not too shabby,
meaning pretty good. ♦
Your essay is
not bad
(said with dropping intonation), but it needs some work.
♦
This essay is
not bad
(said with rising intonation). You should enter it in the essay contest.

it’s impossible; it’s not going to happen; absolutely no. Also sometimes said as
not a chance in hell.
♦
Sally: Are you going to retire early? Bob:
Not a chance.
I’m going to work as long as I can.
♦
There’s
not a chance
in hell that we’ll get that contract.

no day passes without doing or thinking something; a thought or event recurs everyday. Used primarily to emphasize the frequency of something, usually thoughts concerning memories or regrets. ♦ Not a day goes by
that we don’t think of you.
♦
Since my father’s death last week,
not a day goes by
without someone calling to offer sympathy.

it absolutely will not happen; nothing, not even love or money, will make me do it ♦
I wouldn’t leave my kids
for love or money! ♦
He wants her to get back together with him, but she said
“not for love or money!”

not at all; not in the slightest degree. Sometimes said as
not the least bit.
♦
Mitch: I think it would be cool to have a snake for a pet, don’t you? Ellen:
Not in the least! ♦
He’s
not the least bit
interested in running for public office.

absolutely not ♦
You want me to go bungee jumping with you?
Not on your life! ♦
Cheat on her?
Not on your life!
I’m not going to ruin a great relationship.

not something that one is interested in or likes ♦
Well, staying in youth hostels is
not my cup of tea,
but they’re great for budget traveling.
♦
Thanks for the invitation, but opera is
not my cup of tea.

not a good day for someone; a day in which things have gone wrong ♦
Ouch, now I bumped my head. This is just
not my day! ♦
Sorry you’re having a bad day. I guess this is just
not your day.

not feeling 100 percent well; feeling a little sick or troubled ♦
I’m sorry that I yelled at you. I’m just
not myself
today.
♦
Is something wrong? You
haven’t been yourself
all day.

not concerned; means “I do not care.” Sometimes said to hide genuine caring or hurt. ♦
I heard that she’s got a new boyfriend now. . .
not that I care. ♦
Did you borrow my skirt?
Not that I care;
it’s okay. I was just wondering.

Not If I Can Help It

The expressions
not if I can help it, not on my watch,
and
not if I have anything to do with it
mean “It won’t happen if I can stop it” or “I will do everything possible to prevent it.” These expressions also mean that it won’t be allowed. People also say “
not if I’m around.”
Here are some examples of how these expressions are used:

• I can guarantee that there won’t be any trouble —
  not on my watch!
  
• Jennifer: Mom, I’m going to an all-night concert with Mike. Mom:
  Not if I can help it!
  
• Worker: I heard that the company wants to cut everyone’s’ hours. Manager:
  Not if I have anything to say about it.
  

. . . Not!

Adding
not!
to the end a statement is a modern cliché to emphasize that you mean exactly the opposite of what you said. Saying, “I like this band. . .
not!
” means “I definitely don’t like this band at all.” Here are some examples:

• Well, that was an interesting lecture . . .
  not!
  
• Bush seems to have won the election . . .
  not!
  
• Everyone is in favor of widening the highway . . .
  not!
  
• Of course I’m going to date her . . .
  not! Are you crazy? She’s my best friend’s girl.
  

don’t worry; no problem; nothing to be concerned about ♦
Johnny had a bike accident, but
not to worry,
Mom. He didn’t get hurt.
♦
It’s an important exam, but
not to worry.
You already know this material.

to never let something happen again; a strong confirmation of a conviction ♦
He hurt me once, but
never again! ♦ Never again
will I lend him something. He always loses things.
Grammar Note:
When
never again
begins a sentence, the subject of the sentence and the auxiliary verb are reversed, as in the second example above. When an auxiliary verb would not normally be present, the verb
do
or
did
is used as an auxiliary verb, as in “
Never again
do I want to be in the hospital.”

this is the best that someone or something has been. It’s short for “It has
never been better,”
“I have
never felt better,
” and so on. Also said as
better than ever.
♦
Robin: How are you feeling after running your first race? Adam:
Never better! ♦
I feel
better than ever
now that I gave up smoking.

something is always happening or changing ♦
There was
never a dull moment
growing up with my five brothers and sisters.
♦
Oh no. The cat is stuck in the tree again. Well, at least there’s
never a dull moment.

don’t worry; don’t be concerned. Often said lightly or with exaggerated seriousness. ♦ Never fear.
I’ll have this problem fixed in a minute.
♦
Mom: Oh no. I just spilled juice all over the floor. Son:
Never fear!
I’m here with the sponge to help you!

that blame or reprisals, typically for doing something wrong or not doing something, will last for an extended period of time ♦
If we don’t attend their daughter’s wedding we’ll
never hear the end of it. ♦
I thought I’d
never hear the end of it
from my parents when I dropped out of school.

You Never Know!

The expressions
you never know
and
you never can tell
mean that one can’t be certain that something will or won’t happen. These expressions are often used to encourage someone just in case something good happens.

• You should go to that singles dance.
  You never know.
  You might meet someone.
  
• I told her, “Go to that audition,
  you never know.”
  And sure enough, she got the part!
  
• We might get some sunshine today, but
  you never can tell.
  
• You never can tell
  about him; he’s unpredictable.