Before you can say Jack Robinson or before you know where

you are — very quickly, very soon, in no time

"Now you sit down, " she said, "and I'll make up the bed before you can say Jack Robinson." (S. M. )

If I tell him you're our man you'll get a letter from him before you can say Jack Robinson. (C. S) One thing leads to another, and before you know where you are you're mixed up with a lot of riff-raff and you can't get rid of them. (S. M.) For God's sake, hurry, Doctor. We'll have this roof down on us before we know where we are. (A. C.)

in a twink; in a twinkling; in the twinkling of an eye —

very quickly, in a moment

I'll be ready in a twink. The plumber repaired the water-tap in the twinkling of an eye. (K. H.)

In a jiffy; in a second (in half a second); in half a mo; in a minute are similarly used, all meaning very soon; very quickly.

Come up to my room and have a wash. Lunch'll

be ready in a jiffy. (J. G.)

Wait there, I'll be back in half a second. (A. W.)

"No objection at all, my boy. I'll just go through

the cash, lock up, and be with you in half-a-mo, "

said Mr. Claye... (J. F.)

Show him into the study, please, and say I'll

be there in a minute. (J. G.)

"I'll bring you the other things in a minute, "

said the waitress. (J. G.)

Half a mo (moment) or half a minute usually means wait a little time.

Johnson? Half a mo! Yes, the name is familiar

to me. (A. W.)

Now, then, we'll have a try at the door. Half

a moment, though, isn't there a door into Miss Cynthia's room? (A. Chr.) "'scuse me half a minute, Mrs. Owen, " exclaimed Ronnie's new client. (B. R.)

On the other hand a long time is colloquially expressed

by these phrases of exaggeration:

(for) donkey's years — a long time; (for) ages

Hello! I haven't seen you for donkey's years.

(A. W.)

"Isn't she working?"

"Well, no, she says, after working for donkey's

years as you might say, now she's married she's

going to take it easy...." (S. M.)

"Oh, I came to tell you Uncle is very anxious

for you to play something for him this evening, "

Dessy said suddenly. "Will you?"

"My dear, I haven't practised for donkey's years."

(V. L.)

till Doomsday or till Kingdom come — a long time; for ever

Go on! If you wait for me, you'll wait till Dooms

day. (A. W.)

"I haven't an opening. And I may not have one

for a year."

"I can wait a year."

"But I can't promise you one even then. I might

die or retire. If you wait for me, you may wait

till Doomsday." (L. A.)

"You could live up here till Kingdom come, "

he said to Moose, "and no one would ever find

out, particularly those dumb wardens." (J. Ald.)

A month (week) of Sundays is similarly used meaning a long time or never.

It will take me a month of Sundays to do it.

(A. W.)

I've been with Mr. Gallagher for four years now

and a better gentleman you wouldn't find in

a week of Sundays. (S. M. )

He'll not learn to swim in a month of Sundays.

(W. B.)

Don't be half an hour means Don't be long about it

Go and put on your hat and don't be half an hour about it. (A. W.)

Once in a blue moon is colloquial for rarely or never.

And the food's pretty rough. You know how these peasants eat: macaroni on Sundays and meat once in a blue moon. (S. M.) That only happens once in a blue moon. (A. W.) He calls on me once in a blue moon.

Дата добавления: 2015-10-31