English Conversation

Expressing doubts and uncertainty 83

After all

After all introduces a reason or a justification of what was just said.

Don’t expect him to behave like an adult. After all, he’s only ten years old.

I didn’t do my best at work today, but after all, I was sick.

Cry on someone’s shoulder

To cry on someone’s shoulder means to tell someone that you need sympathy and support.

I just got fired from my job. Will you let me cry on your shoulder tonight?

Matter

To matter means to be important.

You really matter to me a lot.

I’m sorry I hurt your feelings. It doesn’t matter. (It’s not important.) I forgive

you.

To be the matter indicates what is wrong or what is upsetting someone.

You’ve been crying. What’s the matter?

I just heard that my brother is sick. Do you know what’s the matter with him?

Just the opposite

To be just the opposite indicates that the truth is very different from what was just said.

You must be really excited about your

promotion!

It’s just the opposite! They’re transferring me

to another city, and I don’t want to go.

Out to get

To be out to get someone means to want to hurt or make trouble for that person.

The president of the club refused to listen to any of our suggestions. I think he is really out

to get us.

On someone’s case

To be on someone’s case means to constantly criticize or scold someone.

My dad’s always on my case about my long hair. He really wants me to cut it.

Take it all out on

To take it all out on someone means to build up anger and frustration over a problem and then

show that anger toward a person unrelated to the problem.

I know you’re disappointed that you didn’t get better grades at school, but don’t take it out

on your little sister!