Guide to colloquial expressions (beta)

This dictionary describes the meaning (semantic core) of common, non-literal conversational phrases and expressions. The interpretation of these meanings depends on intonation, the context of the dialogue, and the relationship between the speakers.

A Note on Methodology: The phrasing “It seems to me that…” reflects a core principle of general semantics: language is not a reflection of objective truth but a map of an individual’s perception. This helps avoid equating words with reality and reduces the likelihood of unconscious, knee-jerk reactions.

Note: there’s might be mistakes in the translations.

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Category 1: Disagreement, Criticism, and Disappointment

Expression	Semantic Core (What is meant)	Context and Intonation	Level of Expression
Yikes. / Oof.	1. It seems to me that I am disappointed by and/or negatively judging this situation or what you said.<br>2. It seems to me that I have nothing more to add.	Said after a 1-3 second pause. Tone is noticeably lower than usual. Often followed by silence, effectively ending the conversation topic.	Informal
lol / lmao	1. It seems to me that my interpretation of your words is absurd and/or surprising.<br>2. Based on my interpretation of what you said, it seems to me that this doesn’t warrant a serious response.<br>3. It seems to me that I don’t know how to react.	Used in text/online or when verbally quoting internet slang. Typically replaces a more detailed response.	Internet Slang / Informal
Oh my God / Jesus / Oh God	1. It seems to me that I disagree with and/or am shocked by your words/actions.<br>2. It seems to me that I am scared and/or worried by the situation.<br>3. It seems to me that I am surprised.	Spoken with a sharp rise or fall in pitch. Volume may increase significantly.	Emotional / Neutral
What the hell? / That’s complete nonsense.	It seems to me that I strongly disagree and/or find your words to be meaningless.	Said with an incredulous or questioning intonation. The negative part of the phrase (“hell,” “nonsense”) is stressed.	Expressive / Informal
Are you an idiot? / What the f*ck?	It seems to me that I am so displeased with your action that I cannot contain my outrage.	Volume increases two- to threefold. Spoken rapidly without pauses. Used to interrupt the other person.	Rude / Aggressive
You’d forget your head if it wasn’t screwed on.	It seems to me that I am annoyed by your absent-mindedness or forgetfulness.	Said in response to an act of forgetfulness. The word “head” is stressed.	Sarcastic / Informal
Fuck this. / Go fuck yourself.	It seems to me that I vehemently disagree with you, and your position is provoking a strong negative emotional reaction in me.	Often shouted. Used to terminate a conversation abruptly.	Vulgar / Taboo
There you go again… / Classic you.	It seems to me that you are repeating the same annoying and/or erroneous behavior, and I am tired of pointing it out.	Said with irritation, often with stress on “again” or “classic.”	Reproachful / Generalizing
Nice one. / Way to go.	It seems to me that you have made a mistake.	Intonation drops toward the end of the phrase. Often paired with a sarcastic smile or an eye-roll.	Ironic / Passive-aggressive
You’re a real clown. / What a joke.	It seems to me that your behavior is foolish or ridiculous.	Said with a smirk. The word “clown” or “joke” is stressed.	Derogatory / Sarcastic
Seriously? / Are you for real?	It seems to me that I do not believe what you just said.	Questioning intonation, possibly with raised eyebrows.	Incredulous / Emotional
Whoa / Wow / That’s wild!	1. It seems to me that I am surprised or impressed.<br>2. It seems to me that I don’t know how else to express my reaction.	Spoken with a rising tone. May be accompanied by wide eyes.	Expressive / Slang
Cool. / Neat.	1. It seems to me that this is interesting, but I don’t want to get into the details.<br>2. It seems to me that this is interesting or fun.<br>3. It seems to me that I don’t know how to react.	Spoken with a slight, even tone. Often used to signal the end of a topic.	Neutral / Slang
Bruh… / Dude…	It seems to me that you’ve made a mistake, and I want to point it out to you.	Said with an informal, almost pitying tone. The word “Bruh” or “Dude” is drawn out.	Informal / Slang
Son of a bitch / Bullshit / Asshole / Shit.	1. It seems to me that I am negatively judging a situation or person.<br>2. It seems to me that I am expressing annoyance or anger.	Spoken with stress on the epithet. Volume may increase 1.5-2x.	Rude / Emotional
Damn it. / Shoot.	It seems to me that I am expressing mild annoyance or surprise.	Spoken with a slight drop in tone. May be accompanied by a sigh or shaking of the head.	Mildly Negative
For real? / Fr?	It seems to me that I doubt the truth of your words and/or I want you to confirm them.	Said with a questioning intonation or with the syllables drawn out.	Slang / Questioning
Come on.	1. It seems to me that I am urging you to action.<br>2. It seems to me that I dislike your slowness or indecisiveness.	Spoken with an urging intonation. May be accompanied by a hand gesture.	Urging / Slang
Meh. / It’s… fine.	1. It seems to me that I am not impressed.<br>2. It seems to me that this isn’t good enough or that I disagree.	Said with a drawn-out, pensive intonation, often with a shrug or a skeptical facial expression.	Dismissive / Disappointed
Facepalm.	It seems to me that what was said or done is so stupid that I am experiencing a feeling of second-hand embarrassment and/or disappointment.	An internet-culture term said with a tone of utter exhaustion at someone else’s foolishness. May be accompanied by the actual gesture.	Derogatory / Slang
Are you trying to school me? / Don’t feed me that line.	It seems to me that you are trying to deceive me or give me an inappropriate lecture.	Said with a distrustful, slightly aggressive tone. Perceived as an accusation of insincerity.	Informal / Accusatory

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Category 2: Coercion, Lecturing, and Covert Control

Expression	Semantic Core (What is meant)	Context and Intonation	Level of Expression
Use your head. / Think for a second.	1. It seems to me that I disagree with your point of view.<br>2. I want you to understand/accept my point of view.	Typically said by someone of higher status (age, rank) to a subordinate. Speech pace slows down.	Condescending / Informal
Think.	I want you to arrive at the answer I’m expecting more quickly.	Said as a single-word command. Followed by a 2-5 second pause.	Informal / Blunt
Were you even listening? / You didn’t get it at all.	It seems to me that your interpretation does not align with what I was trying to convey.	Said after receiving a response from someone that does not match the speaker’s expectations.	Informal / Reproachful
Just listen to your parents. / Stick with what you know.	Do not be swayed by outside influence (ideology, opinions) that I do not approve of. Remain within the value system that I am comfortable with.	Said by an adult to a child/teenager. May be accompanied by a pointing gesture.	Preachy / Informal
You’re a grown-up.	It seems to me that you should be responsible for yourself, and/or I am unwilling/unable to help you.	Condescending intonation, with stress on “grown-up.”	Manipulative / Preachy
Everyone does it. / That’s just the way it is.	1. I am unwilling/unable to explain my position.<br>2. It seems to me that your reaction should conform to commonly accepted standards.	Said with a confident, final tone.	Generalizing / Coercive
If you don’t…, it just means you don’t care.	It seems to me that you are not showing sufficient investment in this matter.	Emotionally charged intonation, with stress on “don’t care.”	Manipulative / Emotional
Oh, whatever.	It seems to me that I don’t want to continue this conversation because your reactions don’t meet my expectations/desires.	Said with mild irritation and a dismissive wave of the hand.	Mildly Dismissive / Informal
Get out of here! / No way.	It seems to me that you are exaggerating or not telling the truth.	Said with a tone of disbelief. The first word (“Get,” “No”) is stressed.	Slang / Skeptical
Look who’s talking.	It seems to me that you possess the same traits that you are criticizing in me.	A defensive response to criticism.	Defensive / Counter-accusatory
Serves you right.	It seems to me that you have received a just punishment for your actions.	Said with a tone of satisfaction. Stress is on the word “right.”	Gloating / Moralizing
Be realistic.	It seems to me that your expectations or plans do not align with reality.	Said with a preachy, know-it-all intonation.	Preachy / Condescending
Open your eyes.	It seems to me that you are failing to see the obvious things that I see.	Said with stress on the word “open.” Can be accompanied by a pointing gesture.	Preachy / Insistent
Get your head out of the clouds.	It seems to me that you are too easily distracted or lost in thought.	Said with mild irritation. Stress is on the word “head.”	Critical / Grounding
It is what it is.	It seems to me that this demand is not up for discussion, and any objection you have is pointless.	Said with an unyielding, conversation-ending tone. Often used to shut down debate in hierarchical relationships.	Categorical / Authoritarian
Are you trying to be a smart-ass?	1. It seems to me that your arguments or questions are threatening my ego.<br>2. It seems to me that you don’t know enough about this topic to be making such claims.	Said with a threatening or condescending tone to shut down a discussion.	Aggressive / Suppressive
I say one thing, you say ten.	It seems to me that you are taking far too long to compromise or agree with my point.	Said with reproach and irritation to imply the other person is being overly defensive or argumentative.	Reproachful / Irritated

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Category 3: Agreement, Confirmation, and Positive Assessment

Expression	Semantic Core (What is meant)	Context and Intonation	Level of Expression
Exactly. / You said it.	1. It seems to me that I agree with you.<br>2. It seems to me that your phrasing perfectly matches my own thoughts.	Said immediately after the other person’s statement, without a pause. The tone rises.	Informal / Positive
Fucking A. / No shit.	1. It seems to me that I completely agree with your negative assessment of the situation.<br>2. It seems to me that my own assessment is just as negative as yours.	Said with heavy stress on the curse word. Volume increases.	Vulgar / Expressive
You’re a natural! / You’re a genius!	It seems to me that you are exceptionally good at this, but I don’t know and/or don’t care to analyze why.	Said after observing someone perform an action well. The words “natural” or “genius” are stressed.	Positive / Emotional
Thank God.	It seems to me that I am extremely relieved that things ended this way.	Said upon learning about the positive outcome of an event.	Emotional / Neutral
Nailed it! / Spot on!	It seems to me that you have expressed an absolutely precise thought that perfectly aligns with my own.	A short, energetic phrase. Said with an approving, joyful intonation.	Approving / Expressive
Relatable. / Big mood.	It seems to me that the situation you’ve described is very familiar and typical; I recognize my own experience in it.	Said with a knowing smile. Used to express a shared experience.	Slang / Empathetic
That’s fire! / That’s lit! / Awesome!	It seems to me that this is excellent, very cool, and it evokes a strong positive emotional reaction in me.	A short, exclamatory word. Said with enthusiasm.	Expressive / Slang

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Category 4: Evasion, Indifference, and Ending a Conversation

Expression	Semantic Core (What is meant)	Context and Intonation	Level of Expression
Got it. / Uh-huh.	It seems to me that I lack the time, desire, energy, or arguments to respond. I want to end this conversation.	Monotone, flat pitch. No follow-up questions are asked. Gaze is averted from the speaker.	Neutral / Dismissive
Screw it. / To hell with it.	1. I propose we stop paying attention to this; it’s not important.<br>2. It seems to me that we can compromise on this issue; I am willing to yield.	Spoken with a falling tone. Accompanied by a dismissive hand gesture.	Blunt / Informal
Stop whining. / Don’t be a wimp.	It seems to me that your complaints are making me uncomfortable, and I don’t want to or don’t know how to help you.	Said in response to someone’s complaints. The pace of speech increases.	Invalidating / Rude
There, there. / Hang in there.	I believe that I am not indifferent to your problems, but I don’t know how to help.	Spoken with 1-2 second intervals between words. No offer of concrete help follows.	Detached / Informal
It’s like talking to a brick wall.	1. It seems to me that I can’t get through to you and/or your interpretations don’t match my expectations.<br>2. It seems to me that I won’t be able to get my point across, so we should stop talking.	Said after several failed attempts to explain something to the other person.	Reproachful / Emotional
Well, sorry.	It seems to me that I want you to just accept what I did.	Said quickly, often with a slight shrug. The tone is sarcastic, not genuinely apologetic.	Pseudo-apologetic
Suit yourself. / Your call.	It seems to me that I disagree but do not want to continue the argument.	A sharp or tired tone; intonation falls.	Detached / Informal
It happens.	1. It seems to me that I do not wish to discuss this topic in detail.<br>2. It seems to me that this isn’t worthy of attention.	Spoken softly, with a pause. May be accompanied by a sigh.	Formally Sympathetic
Figure it out yourself. / That’s a you problem.	1. It seems to me that I do not want to be involved in solving this.<br>2. It seems to me that it would be right for you to take responsibility for this.<br>3. It seems to me that I am too busy to help you right now.	A sharp, alienated tone.	Harsh / Detached
Fascinating…	It seems to me that I am not interested in this at all.	Monotone voice, possibly with a slight, sarcastic smirk.	Passive-aggressive
IDK / Dunno.	1. It seems to me that I don’t want to take responsibility for an opinion or decision.<br>2. It seems to me that I don’t have enough information to reach a conclusion.<br>3. It seems to me that I am unsure of the answer.	Voice lowers. Often accompanied by a shrug.	Evasive / Uncertain
Nobody gives a shit.	1. It seems to me that this topic is not worth our attention.<br>2. It seems to me that you are being disruptive/distracting, which is causing negative emotions.	Spoken sharply and often with an aggressive tone.	Aggressive
Ugh, I’m done!	It seems to me that I am no longer willing/able to continue this argument because I dislike it.	Said with a hurt or irritated intonation, often in response to an argument that can’t be refuted. Ends the conversation.	Petulant / Temperamental
Forget it. / Drop it.	It seems to me that this topic isn’t worth further discussion or effort. I suggest we stop.	Said with a dismissive gesture, in a relaxed or, conversely, a tense manner to change the subject.	Informal / Invalidating
We’ll see.	1. It seems to me that I don’t want to make a promise or give a direct answer because I’m not sure.<br>2. It seems to me that I want to say no to you while minimizing a negative reaction.	Said with a neutral or non-committal intonation, leaving the situation unresolved.	Evasive / Non-committal

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Category 5: Skepticism, Refusal, and Expressing Improbability

Expression	Semantic Core (What is meant)	Context and Intonation	Level of Expression
Yeah, right! / In your dreams!	It seems to me that I refuse to do this and/or I consider your request/expectation to be audacious.	Said immediately in response to a request. The first word (“Yeah,” “In”) is stressed and spoken louder.	Expressive / Informal
Keep dreaming. / As if.	1. It seems to me that I refuse to do this and/or I consider your request to be audacious.<br>2. I consider your expectations or plans to be highly improbable.	Spoken with the second word drawn out. The tone falls.	Sarcastic / Informal
I doubt it. / Unlikely.	I believe that the probability of this is relatively low (typically somewhere around 5-20%).	Said with a 1-2 second pause before answering. Pace of speech slows.	Neutral
That’s impossible. / That’ll never happen.	I am not aware of any way to achieve this goal, and/or I believe that others are not aware of one either.	The negative word (“impossible,” “never”) is stressed. Spoken with a steady, unwavering voice.	Categorical
That’s pointless.	It seems to me that I see no benefit in this.	Said with stress on the word “pointless.” No explanation of reasons is offered.	Neutral
Something like that. / Kinda.	For the most part, you’ve understood correctly, but it seems to me that I am too lazy and/or it’s too inconvenient to explain in more detail.	A soft, uncertain tone. May be accompanied by a shrug.	Evasive / Informal
Some other time.	It seems to me that I do not want to do this right now.	Said evasively, without offering a specific alternative time. A soft “no.”	Formal / Detached
That’s life.	It seems to me that I don’t want to look for the causes of this problem, so I suggest we just accept the situation as it is.	A philosophical, often dismissive tone. Accompanied by a sigh or shrug.	Resigned / Cliché
No way! / Get out of here!	It seems to me that I am extremely surprised by what you said and/or I am expressing disbelief.	A short, energetic, exclamatory phrase. Said with wide eyes.	Emotional / Expressive
And? / So what?	It seems to me that I do not understand the significance of what you just said.	Said with a challenging or dismissive intonation.	Blunt / Confrontational
Big deal.	It seems to me that I am not impressed by what you’ve presented as surprising or important.	Said sarcastically.	Dismissive / Sarcastic
I have my doubts.	It seems to me that I do not believe this is true or likely.	A formal, considered tone. Slower pace than “I doubt it.”	Formal / Neutral
You’re one to talk.	It seems to me that you are guilty of the very thing you are criticizing.	A defensive or aggressive response to criticism.	Accusatory / Defensive
You’re asking for too much.	It seems to me that your request or expectation is unreasonable.	Said with a warning tone.	Warning / Judgmental