15 tricky English phrases that many people misunderstand

Sometimes you just want to turn on the internal dictionary and translate a seemingly simple expression from English. But there are such popular phrases that simply cannot be translated verbatim: they can have additional meaning or completely unexpected meaning. Edition AdMe.ru became interested in the intricacies of spoken English and made a list of the most common phrases that can be misleading with their unobvious meaning and put the interlocutor in a stupid position.

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1. Shut up Shut up! Come on!

If you heard this phrase in relation to yourself, this is not a reason to shut up and take offense. In a friendly emotional conversation, the phrase "shut up" means exclamation of surprise, "Come on ?!" or "It can't be!"

2. Get/go away - Get out! Can not be!

And this phrase is also not a reason for offense. Of course, if they glare at you, turn away and throw “get / go away” over your shoulder, you should obey and leave. But if this phrase sounds like an exclamation in ordinary conversation, then it means "I can't believe", "incredible", "it's impossible."

3. I don't buy it! — I won't buy it I do not believe!

A slang expression that has nothing to do with shopping and shopping. This phrase means “I don’t believe it” and is used as a response to some statement.

4. Tell me about it! — Tell me about it! You do not say!

No, here no one asks you to tell about something in more detail, but simply assent, saying "Yeah, yeah, I know."

5. My bad - Guilty

It seems that "my bad" is clumsy English or a typo. But here everything is correct, this is an admission of my own mistake - "my mistake."

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6. I'm in - I'm in business

The phrases "I'm in", as well as "I'm down" and "I'm game" mean the desire and consent to join some activity - "I'm in business", "I'm in the game."

7. Let's go Dutch - Let's go dutch Let's fold

You will most likely hear this phrase in a bar, cafe or restaurant. And this means that you are offered not to become a Dutchman or go for Dutch wine, but to split the cost of the meal in half, in a club.

8. Piece of cake - A piece of cake As easy as pie

No, not a "piece of cake", but "as easy as shelling pears" or "simpler than a steamed turnip," if we draw edible analogies.

9. Going postal - Go by mail Get furious

The emergence of this phrase is really connected with the postal service, but it means “to get furious”, to show social aggression. The expression entered colloquial speech in the second half of the 2th century, when American postmen worked so hard and were tired that they rushed at their colleagues.

10. You can say that again! — Say it again! That's right!

No, no, you shouldn't repeat what you just said. The meaning of this phrase is "absolutely agree with you."

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11. You bet! — Place your bet! Required!

It is better not to remember that the word "bet" is translated as "to place bets", otherwise you can get confused. Just remember that "you bet" means "necessarily", "agreed".

12. In no time - Never Instantly

"In timelessness", "never"? On the contrary, you are promised that something will be done soon - "this very minute" or "very soon."

13. That's pants - These are pants This is bad

A very original way of saying "this is bad". The word "pants" here alludes to underpants or underpants, something unpleasant and indecent, not for everyone to see.

14. This is cheesy - This is something cheesy It went

No, this is not about cheese balls or "What a cheese pizza!" The adjective "cheesy" means something hackneyed, overlooked, or cheap and shoddy.

15. By and large - In general

Even those who know English quite well come across this expression. Translation of each word will not help, you just need to remember that the phrase "by and large" means "in general", "in general".

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